Ladder Safety: Keep Yourself Up

Ladder Safety: Keep Yourself Up

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Ladders can be our friends, but one false step makes them into our worst enemies.

Ladders help reach those impossibly high places that we simply cannot get to. From helping us do simple jobs like replacing a light bulb, to those more professional-grade jobs like installing electrical and plumbing equipment precisely where they need to be to ensure safety. Unfortunately, many people are not aware of the safety requirements to keep themselves safe and sound while they do their work. To ensure your safety while you’re on a ladder follow these helpful guidelines for the different kinds of ladder situations for which you may find yourself.

Angle Ladders

Triangles are key here. You have the ladder taking up the longest side, the wall being the 2nd longest, and the ground being the shortest side. The ground length should be no more than one-quarter the length of the working ladder.

Rungs

Ladder rungs, or steps, must be parallel and uniformly spaced when the ladder is in position to be used. The rungs must be spaced between 10 to 14 inches.

Loads

Self-supporting, and non-self-supporting ladders must be able to support at least 4 times the maximum intended load. The exception is heavy-duty ladders which should sustain 3.3 times the intended weight.

Being safe on ladders is very important to keep yourself healthy and able. For liability insurance to protect yourself against any falls that may happen in your home or in your business, contact the independent insurance professionals at Hoffman Brown Company in Sherman Oaks. Founded in 1961, Hoffman Brown is run on the founding principle of “do the right thing, every day.”

COVID-19 Update:

The Coronavirus, officially COVID-19, has become a global health emergency. One of the measures Hoffman Brown Company has taken to keep our CLIENTS and Teammates safe was to design a complete virtual work environment. For the foreseeable future, our colleagues will be conducting business virtually to avoid any disruption in our ability to serve you. These measures are based on the CDC’s guidance and will evolve with the situation. Please know that we are fully functional, available and look forward to being of service.