Posts Tagged ‘buy ladders’

Ladder Inspection – How to Assess Safety

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

By Richard N Williams

Ladders are responsible for hundreds of injuries each year. Most of them would have been preventable if proper guidance and usage was followed and many others could also have been prevented if the ladders were inspected before they were used.

Faulty, damaged or bent ladders are responsible for a large proportion of the accidents that occur when working at height. And ensuring that equipment is checked before use is not only sensible it is now part of European guidance and proper risk assessment procedures.

Choosing the Right Ladder

The first consideration when inspecting any piece of equipment is to ask yourself if it is the right tool for the job. Often the wrong ladder is one of the reasons for accident and injury and it is important to use the correct one when you have to work at height.

Here are some of the different types of ladder:

  • Leaning ladders – used against a wall of other vertical surface. Often extendible, these extension ladders are commonly used outdoors and can extend to several times their original length.
  • Step-ladders – more commonly used indoors these are often used for working on ceilings. The step can provide a good platform for tools and for working on.
  • Roof ladder – Suspended from roofs these ladders are for working down to a height rather than up.

Ladders are safe if used correctly

Inspection

The next thing to assess is the structural integrity of the ladder. Ensure there are no bends, buckling or misshapen rungs. Then check for any cracks or splinters in the metal. Pay particular attention to where the rungs are attached to the uprights. Check the rungs are all secure and don;t move.

Next check the base of the ladder. If there are rubber feet, ensure they are not worn and they are flat. Often when a ladder has been used in an uneven surface the feet can wear on one side causing it to be unstable so it is time to replace it.

Faults

If any damage or faults are found on the ladder it is important that you ensure that the ladder is not used. Not only by yourself but also by anyone else. It should be clearly signed and taped and the damage should be reported as soon as possible and under any circumstances – Never use a damaged ladder.

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Using Step Ladders – Uses and Practicality

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

Richard N Williams

A step ladder is one of the most useful tools for any tradesmen. The types of trades that regularly carry stepladders in the back of their vans and cars are endless. From plumbers to fitters; electricians to builders; and even press photographers and tree surgeons. If you need to reach up, see over, look down or rise above – a set of steps is for you.

The reason stepladders are so popular and used so widely, is that they have several great advantages over other ladders and equipment:

Compact – stepladders can fold away. There design means you can fit a set of steps into the back of almost any car, under any stairs; in any shed or in any loft. They are very practical to stow away and for tradesmen and householders alike, this is one of the key advantages.

No leaning – another great advantage with a set of steps is that you don’t need to lean against a wall with them, unlike other ladders. A step ladder can be erected almost anywhere so you can work on a ceiling in the middle of the room or equally against a wall. This makes them less precarious too as with leaning ladders, a common cause of accidents is when the ladders lips from the wall.

Step ladders are incredibly practical

Practicality – Stepladders have a top step that can act as a shelf, this is really useful for placing tools or equipment on. It also means you can rest tools on this shelf before you climb up so you can ensure you have two hands on the ladder as you do so.

Safety – The unique V shape of a ladder means they are a lot more sturdy than other ladders. You are less likely to tip off a step ladder so long as the floor is flat and you don’t lean from the set of steps, there should be little risk of falling off. Even the very tall stepladders have a far better safety record than their leaning or extension ladder counterparts

Stepladders are a practical and easy to use solution for working at height and few households of tradesmen should be without at least one set of steps.

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Tools of the Trade – The Two Most Essential Tools for any Tradesman

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

By Richard N Williams

Tools are essential to the tradesman. Whether you are a plumber, joiner, builder, electrician, plasterer or decorator, you will have a wide selection of different tools required to enable you to do your job correctly.

From drills to saws; rollers to wire cutters; there are a whole host of items that are vital for your day-to-day work. However, there are two tools that are essential to nearly every tradesman and whether you are a plumber, plasterer, builder or electrician you would be unable to do your job without them:

The Van

Every tradesman or woman needs van. There is no other method of carting around your tools from each job without a decent van to do it in. When looking for a van there is only two things you need to know – It has to be diesel and it has to be big enough to carry all the tools and materials you could ever envisage needing.

Diesel is essential as it is far more economical to drive than a petrol van. There is no point giving all your profits to OPEC so choose a van that is fuel efficient and isn’t expensive to keep on the road.

For size, it might be impossible to envisage every scenario you’ll need a van for but there is one good method of picking a van. Think of the largest object you’ll have to carry and you shouldn’t go too far wrong.

Space is vital for a Van

The Ladder

Often the longest object most tradespeople carry is also another essential tool – the ladder. Every trade from building to plastering needs a ladder. Whether it’s a step-ladder to reach ceilings or an extension ladder for scaling walls a good quality aluminium ladder is a must for any trades person.

When buying a ladder, choose one that is of most use to you. Step ladders are great for reaching ceilings for indoor work but extension ladders are more useful outdoors.

Aluminum step ladder

Aluminium ladders are better than wooden ones as they are lighter and stronger. Whilst ladders are long they can still be easily transported; a multitude of roof racks are available that will secure them to your van if there is no room in the back.

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Posted in Ladder tips, buying a ladder, extension ladders | 1 Comment »

Ladder Construction – Safety in Design

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

By Richard Williams

Ladders are responsible for numerous deaths and injury each year, the majority are caused by improper use and faulty equipment. However, if used correctly and if they are in good condition, a ladder is the most useful, practical and convenient tool of working at height available.

One of the most important aspects is that you use the correct ladder for the job in hand; a step-ladder for ceiling work, an extension ladder for leaning against an outside wool or a roof ladder for working on roofs. But also its vital that the ladder is made of the correct material and is of of good quality.

Cheap and badly made ladders are dangerous and should never be used. In looking for a ladder here are some things to look out for:

Materials

Aluminium, is one of the most common materials for manufacturing ladders. Its light, strong and easily manipulated for manufacture. Aluminium ladders also don;t chip or crack when subjected to impact. Aluminium also doesn’t need to be painted and doesn’t suffer from severe corrosion.

Aluminum ladder

However, there are drawbacks to aluminium ladders. Aluminium does dent and a buckled ladder should not be used as it could be uneven. Aluminium is also a conductor of electricity and heat so should be avoided when bare electrics or extreme heat are present.

Fibre Glass is a very similar material to aluminium. Its not an alloy and is not susceptible to the elements and is very strong and even lighter than aluminium. Its far more brittle though, and can crack if impacted but it doesn’t conduct electricity so is often used around electricity.

Wood is a traditional material and still useful for ladders. Timber ladders are often made of combined hard and soft wood for strength and rigidity. However, they can crack and chip and need to be painted or varnished to avoid the elements.

Quality

When buying a ladder the quality should be checked carefully. Ensure any aluminium ladder is not bent or buckled and that a wooden or fibre glass ladder has no cracks, dents or chips. All rungs should be secure and if you are unsure – walk away!

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Posted in buying a ladder, extension ladders, ladder safety, ladder types, step ladders | 1 Comment »

Extension Ladders – Using a Leaning Ladder

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

By Richard WIlliams

The extension ladder is perhaps the most daunting tool to face most DIYer or workman. Not only can they be intimidating to use, statistics bare witness to the fact that leaning ladders – like extensions – are also the most dangerous type of ladder to use.

Every year hundreds are injured and several people killed by using a leaning or extendible ladder. But I’m not trying to deter you from using this useful piece of equipment because despite the dangers, an extendible or extension ladder is perhaps is the most useful and practical tool there is for working at height.

The danger lies in their improper use and inadequate risk assessment when they are used. The inherent danger in using this type of equipment is that they have to be leaned against the wall. And it is vital that the correct procedures are used if an extendible, extension or other leaning ladders is to be used.

Firstly, it should be inspected for any damage. Bent or damaged stiles (the sides) or rungs should instantly right the ladder off as unusable. Not only should you not use it but it must be either reported as damaged or noticed with a sign.

Leaning ladders can be dangerous

It should also be clean and not greasy. Slopped oil and grease could cause a slip which, if at height, could be fatal. Decent boots should also be worn, with a good thick sole and tread.

The ladder should be leaned at 75 degrees, too steep an angle and it could topple, too shallow and it could slip, both could result in serious injury.

Both feet of the ladder should be placed firmly on the ground, which should be level, dry and clean. If it is an extendible ladder the fastenings should be secure when it is extended.

Never work at height alone. Ensure there is somebody on hand to assist in case of an accident. If possible get them to foot the ladder, not only will it add stability, an extra pair of eyes can help spot problems but remember there is somebody below – Always secure tools and make sure those below are wearing a hard hat.

Never climb with tools in your hand, rope them up with necessary or wear a belt. When climbing keep three points of contact to the ladder at all times.

Don’t over reach or make sure there are at least three rungs above your feet which should both be on the same rung.

If in doubt of the quality of your ladder it is probably time to think about shopping to buy ladders

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