Even though we sell Gutter Covers and it is our job to keep potential customers from climbing ladders to clean gutters, we realize that not everyone who sees our product is actually ready to purchase at the time they are introduced to it. So if you are reading this post and have considered the benefits of gutter protection for your home, but are not ready to take that next step just yet I wanted to offer some ladder safety tips and techniques that we have found helpful.

At least once a month I get a call to do an estimate in a neighborhood where someone has fallen from a ladder while cleaning their roof or gutters. Generally it is either the folks I’m going to see or it is one of their neighbors that has fallen. This is more common than we would like to admit. We all think we are invincible and that falls happen to other people, and give little thought to it actually happening to us.

Here are a few ladder basics that will help us be safer when using ladders.

Ladder Safety Checklist:

1. Cracks
2. Bends in Rungs, or Rails
3. Corrosion (metal) Rot (wood)
4. Missing rungs or steps
5. Missing rivets in rails, rungs, or steps
6. Are the Feet working properly (solid foundation)
7. Rung locks and spreader braces working properly
8. Loose fasteners
9. Steps, Rungs, and other ladder parts free of oil, grease, excessive mud that would make climbing your ladder more difficult than it already is.
10. Is the ladder properly rated for your weight? (minimum 250lb rating suggested)

Basic Ladder Operation

1. Avoid unusually windy conditions
2. Use a spotter whenever possible. If not secure the ladder to avoid ladder movement  to ensure it does not fall or lean away from the structure.
3. Never carry bulky materials or heavy loads up or donw a ladder.
4. Always face the ladder
5. keep your body weight centered in between side rails
6. Maintain three points of contact with the ladder at all times.
7. Only one person on the ladder at a time.
8. Avoid sudden movements
9. Never stand on the top rung.
10. When using Extension Ladders use a Ladder Stabilizer whenever possible
11. If working on uneven surfaces with an Extension Ladder use “leg levelers”
12. Move the ladder frequently as opposed to leaning out to cover more area quicker
13. Schedule enough time to do the task at hand, accidents happen when we try to speed up the process.
14. If using small tools consider a strap or hook so you can hang it on the ladder while working. One hand on the ladder while working with the other is very important.
15. Never sit on any rung.
16. Avoid distractions such as talking to someone on the ground while in the air.
17. If the ground is soft use small pieces of plywood to keep the feet of the ladder from sinking too deep.
18. Choose a safe location to setup your ladder while avoiding doors and uneven or slippery conditions.

Many of the above tips seem like they are common sense and are steps you would probably take each time you attempt to use a ladder, but even the professionals overlook these items from time to time.

The two most common mistakes I hear when hearing about ladder accidents are:

1. Faulty or Unsafe equipment that is either disrepair or is beyond repair. It is amazing the corners some homeowners will cut to save a buck. Purchasing a correctly rated ladder that is of good quality costs less than the deductables on most health insurance policies these days yet they will use an out dated ladder that is a potential safety hazard without giving it a second thought.
2. Being in too big of a hurry to get the job done. When we hurry we cannot focus on doing the job properly as well as safely. We tend to take greater risks by working faster, like reaching too far to one side or the other as opposed to moving the ladder more frequently. When you hurry you are not able to focus on what you are doing and that is when accidents happen.

If you have to get up on a ladder, take a few moments and make it safer for you to work.