304. Use Ladders Safely
At least 93,000 people a year end up in hospital emergency rooms with injuries sustained on ladders. Here are some safety tips to keep you from being one of them.
-
•Make sure your ladder is long enough for you to reach the job without standing on the top three steps or overextending your body.
-
•Check the ladder for cracks or weak spots before you use it. Metal ladders should have nonskid steps and footings. (Don’t paint a ladder; you’ll hide defects.)
-
•Make sure the soles of your shoes or boots are dry and have enough tread to prevent slipping.
-
•Always steady a ladder on firm ground or a flat board.
-
•Never place a ladder in front of a door that someone may open.
-
•Wear tools on a belt or keep them in your pocket so you can keep your hands free when climbing up or down a ladder.
-
•To avoid losing your balance while standing on a ladder, don’t lean too far back or to the side.
-
•Don’t use a ladder outdoors on a very windy day.
-
•To avoid electrocution, don’t use metal ladders near power lines.
