Use a ladder? Stay safe in the winter months

YOU always need to stay safe when using a ladder whatever time of the year, but even more so in the cold, wet, slippery months of winter and spring. Whether you're a home owner cleaning out gutters or a professional roofer, painter or window cleaner, whatever your reason to use a ladder, using the correct safety device is imperative.

Did you know, 90,000 people need emergency treatment from ladder related injuries every year? The majority of these injuries were caused by failure to take the relevant safety precautions. So how do you avoid a ladder accident - here are few safety tips from Made in Britain member LadderM8rix:

Safety Tips: 

  • Firstly,  if you don't feel comfortable doing outdoor ladder work in harsh weather conditions, then don't;
  • Inspect the ladder, check for any damage or lose rungs;
  • Ensure your ladder is the correct length to safely reach the height you need to complete the work; 
  • Make sure the ladder angle is at 75 degress (or 1 in 4);
  • Always grip the ladder and face the ladder rungs while climbing or decending. And always maintain three points of contact;
  • For leaning ladders, you should secure (e.g. by tying the ladder to prevent it from slipping outwards or sideways) and have a strong resting point;
  • You should also use a effective stability device.

Ladder Safety Devices/Stability Devices

The HSE safe use of ladders and step ladders guide and working at height regulations recommend you use (where applicable) an adequate ladder anti-slip/ladder stability devive.

The LadderM8rix ladder safety device range helps to reduce the base of the ladder slipping . The LadderM8rix can be placed on a diversity of surfaces including oily concrete, wet decking, grass, tiles, marble, snow and even solid ice! Because the LadderM8rix can be effective on ice, it is an ideal tool to help you complete any outdoor ladder work in the winter months.

Refer to the HSE "Safe use of ladders and stepladders" guide and find out more about LadderM8rix at the Made in Britain directory

Find out more about LadderM8rix on their member profile page here

Member-created content 4 years ago | By Made in Britain

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