Your roof sheets might be leaking, your gutters clogged with leaves and branches, or a few tiles might have been blown away during hurricane Katrina. Whatever the case may be you will one day have to face the daunting prospect of having to use a roof ladder so that you can maintain your home. Because people have actually died due to inadequate safety precautions when using ladders it becomes very important for you to read this.
Before hopping excitedly onto the ladder you must make sure that all bolts, hinges and rungs are intact and properly fastened. Loose screw bolts and hinges can easily render a ladder wobbly, thereby exposing you to the scary possibility of falling head first onto the solid ground. So take your screw drivers a day before the job and make sure you fasten screws to prevent falling off the ladder.
Wearing the right shoes and clothing for a maintenance job of this kind is crucial. Shoes with a good rubber grip, particularly those used in the construction industry, effectively prevent slipping accidents in scenarios where they could have been obvious. You also need to avoid wearing pants that are too long or that consist of too many straps as you can trip on them and fall.
All ladders need to be placed on level ground, preferably on the lawn. Levers are specific devices that can be used if there isn’t a portion of space that is level and flat. Avoid shiny cement surfaces as these are vulnerable to being slippery.
You must always face your ladder and keep your body at the centre of the two side rails. Unless you did not know this seemingly meaningless precaution helps to create balance and stopping the ladder from tipping over. Plus, always make sure you use rubber gloves when going up and down a ladder for the best grip.
