Extension Ladders

Posted by John Sedgewick - 02/12/09 at 01:12 pm

Extension ladders are much more dangerous than they look, particularly for homeowners. People who use extension ladders at work are usually trained in how to use them properly, and they eventually develop enough experience to respect the danger and limits of extension ladders. Also, extension ladders made for commercial use, called Type I or Type II ladders, are more rugged than Type III ladders, which are made for use by homeowners. It is surprising, odd, and probably a bad thing that Type III ladders are more flimsy than commercial ladders. Type III bend and sway more than other ladders, their parts wear out more quickly, and they just dont work as well as heavier duty ladders. No one needs a safe and sturdy ladder more than an inexperienced homeowner.

Before using an extension ladder, inspect it to see that no components are bent or broken. Set it up on a stable surface, and set it at an angle that is not so steep that it will fall backwards and not so flat that the feet will slip away from the wall. Dont overload the ladder, and avoid leaning your body weight outside of the ladder rails.

When people are injured on extension ladders, it is usually because the ladder falls sideways, because the feet slide along the ground away from the wall, or because the rails break. Each of these problems can result from user error, but they can also result from defects in the ladder. The defects may be designed or manufactured into the ladder, or they may develop later from careless handling.

If someone is injured while using a ladder, document the scene with pictures before things are moved. Note gouges, marks on the ground, and scratches or paint transfer marks on the wall. These witness marks may be critically important for proving where the ladder was before it fell, which way it fell, and why it fell. Also, do not straighten any broken parts or make other changes in the ladder before it is properly inspected by professionals.

Ladders are necessary to accomplishing many tasks at home and at work, but they are dangerous. If you must use one, be sure it is of good quality, in good condition, and properly set up before you climb.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 at 1:32 pm and is filed under Home, Work. The entry is tagged under You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

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