Ladders are a critical tool when it comes to gutter cleaning and maintenance. But before you climb up on the ladder, it’s worth reviewing some basic safety information. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about proper ladder safety that can lead to risky situations.
Read on as Gutter Helmet of Cookeville, a local contractor for quality gutter protection products, debunks the top misconceptions about ladder safety.
“There’s No Need for Fall Protection”
This is a misconception that anyone who climbs a ladder needs to know about. The Occupational Health and Safety Act requires fall arrest protection when working at a height of 10 feet or higher. However, even when working from a lower height, injury is possible, so make sure to use fall protection all the time.
“There’s No Need to Check My Ladder Before Use”
Even if it’s a new ladder, it’s important to inspect it before use every single time. Look for signs of missing, loose or insecure steps or rungs. You should also check for damage in the non-slip feet, corrosion, rust, broken extension locks and loose/faulty spreaders. Any other damage to the ladder can lead to an accident or injury, so make sure to inspect it thoroughly!
“Footwear Isn’t Important While Using Ladders”
Although many ladders are designed with slip-resistant treads or bumps on their rungs and steps, proper footwear is still vital. Snow, mud and grease can make the ladder dangerous if you don’t have the proper footwear. Make sure to wear slip-resistant footwear and wipe off any material from underneath your boots before climbing your ladder.
As a company with reliable gutter protection products, you can count on Gutter Helmet of Cookeville to get the job done right! Give us a call today at (866) 985-9982 or fill out our online contact form. We serve our customers in Tennessee, including Cookeville and surrounding areas.
