How to Safely Use Fixed Access Roof Ladder

If you are into construction site, you need to take care of your safety. Every year, large numbers of workers get seriously injured while using portable ladders. Due to a sense of complacency and poor practices, ladder use often causes injury to the workers. Gravidity usually always wins. Remember, as soon as you set foot on the fitst rung and pull your body off the ground, gravity works bring you back to earth. With this aspect in mind, it is important to take general fixed access roof ladder safety into consideration.

 Fixed Access Roof Ladder

Remember, proper ladder setup will help prevent slips and falls. Hence, it is important to inspect your ladder prior to use. Don’t forget to look for signs of damage or wear. Check out the surface before you place the base. Make sure that surface is firm and solid. Avoid slippery, wet, or soft surfaces. If the surface is soft, be sure to place a board under the ladder’s feet to provide firm footing. Make sure the top of the ladder has firm support and you secure or tie off extension ladders.

Never lean a ladder against a window pane or other unstable surface. If you are using straight or extension ladder, the angle of the ladder is the next critcal safety factor. A straight or extension ladder should be placed with the “1 to 4 rule”. Ensure that for every 4 metres in height the ladder extends, the base of the ladder is 1 meter away from the support structure.

Those who using roof acess ladder should use ladder with its top extending at least 1 meter above the roof or platform edge. Make sure that the extension ladders are fastened to an upper support. If you have angled the ladder properly and still have doubts about its stability, ask someone to hold the ladder before climbing up.
When using a step ladder, open it completely before you climb and checl the locking/support mechanism. While using a step ladder near a doorway, be sure to lock or barricade the door and post signs so no one will open it and knock you off the ladder.

When going up, always face the ladder and grip the rungs of the ladder to climb, not the side rails. Avoid climbing up or down the ladder from the side unless it has been secured to prevent movement. Do not climb with equipment in your hands. Use your pockets, equipment belt, or a tool pouch and raise heavy objects with a hand line. If you forget something, always climb down the ladder to retrieve it yourself, don’t have someone toss it up to you.

While going down a ladder, practice the same safety rules. Face the ladder, keep your body square and hold on to the rungs. Lastly, step off at the bottom rung of the ladder. Never jump off of a ladder.
Last but not the least, be sure to find the quality fixed access roof ladder from a reliable place.