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General Tips

When using your ladder, it's important not to over-reach. If you find you need to stretch to complete your task, you need to get down and move your ladder closer. Ensure your ladder is in good condition and the rungs are clean. There should be no dents or tears in the ladder.

Make sure that you wear appropriate non-slip footwear.

Stepladders

When using a stepladder, open it fully and make sure any ‘locking devices’, if fitted, are fully secured before use.

Never place your stepladder sideways while working. Always have the stepladder facing your work area.

Make sure that the ground you are working on is firm, level and unmovable.

Make sure you have both feet on the threads while you work and one hand on the rail.

Never have more than one person on a stepladder at any given time.

Never ever step on the top platform. If you need to go to this platform it means you should be using an extension ladder.

Extension Ladders

Make sure any ‘locking devices’, if fitted, are fully secured before use.

The extension ladder you are using for a task should allow for at least 1 metre above the highest point that you intend to work. Ladders should be erected at the correct position before use. It’s a 4:1 ratio. So for a 4m height the ladder needs to be 1m from the wall at the feet.

Your ladder should not be positioned on a slippery surface. It should be placed on an even and unmovable base. Stabilisers are useful to secure the ladder and stop it rocking or ideally have someone hold the base of the ladder for you.

Never rest your ladder against guttering as it will not be stable enough. Rather a “Ladder Stand Off” should be used to hold the ladder away from the wall to ensure there is no weight against the gutter.

Never ever stand on the top 3 rungs.

Never reposition an extension ladder from above. Always reposition your extension ladder from the bottom.

Multi-Purpose Ladders

There are a variety of multi-purpose ladders which will work well for a number of different jobs. They can be used as:

A Stepladder.

An Extension Ladder.

A Platform Ladder.

A Stairwell Ladder.

Whichever one you choose the important thing to remember is to make sure that all ‘locking devices’ are fully secured before use.