Your mantra when you use a stepladder should always be ‘safety first.’ Before you even think about tackling a job, there are a few things to consider. Is the ladder in good working order, and how will you position it to work safely? Here’s what you should make sure of when you’re positioning a stepladder.

Why Your Ladder Checks are So Important

If you’re working at height, you need to know that you’ll be able to  do your job safely. You need peace of mind that your ladder won’t give way and leave you with a serious injury.

Here’s our guide to what you need to do, from visual checks to positioning a stepladder, and using it safely.

Before You Use Your Ladder

Before you even think about using your ladder, you should:

Make sure you’re well enough to do so

If you aren’t feeling well, or you’re on medications that affect your balance, you should rethink working on a ladder. Wait until you feel better or speak to your GP for advice.

Inspect your ladder

  • Check the rungs-make sure they’re not broken, loose, dirty, or oily;
  • Inspect the feet and side rails-are they both in good condition?;
  • Make sure the locks aren’t broken or bent and that they work;
  • Check all parts are working as they should be.

Positioning a Stepladder

Once you are happy that your stepladder is in good working order, you need to think about positioning and setup.

First, check the area where you’re going to be using your stepladder. Is there anything that might cause it to slip, such as a wet floor? Are you going to be working on an unavoidably slippery surface such as a polished floor? Consider using a ladder mat.

Other important things to check for are risks like overhead cables or wires and other sources of electricity. If you’re working around electricity, always use a fibreglass stepladder.

Position the stepladder where you intend to work. For safe use, position it on firm, even ground.  Your next step is to make sure all locking devices are secured in place.

If you find that you need to reposition your ladder, climb down. Never reposition your ladder while you are on it.

Using Your Stepladder Safely

Now you’ve nailed positioning a stepladder, here’s how to use it safely. Some important safety points to bear in mind are:

  • Make sure you don’t exceed the maximum load for your stepladder. Consider the weight of any equipment you need while you’re on the ladder;
  • Avoid overreaching and don’t stand on the top three steps of your stepladder. This increases the risk of your ladder toppling over;
  • Don’t use your stepladder outside if there are dangerous weather conditions like strong winds;
  • When climbing up or down your ladder, face the ladder at all times;
  • Wear suitable footwear for climbing a stepladder;
  • Don’t spend excessive amounts of time on your stepladder

If there’s a job you need to do in the home or workplace that requires a stepladder, you always need to consider safety. The three golden rules are inspect your stepladder, position it properly, and use it safely. Hopefully you’re a bit more confident with positioning a stepladder after reading our guide.

Looking for a Stepladder?

Are you changing a lightbulb, decorating, or doing a workplace task? There’s a stepladder in our range to suit your needs. With safety rails for support, non-slip treads, and rubber feet, you can work at height with confidence.

Not sure which stepladder you need? Get in touch with our friendly sales team who’ll point you in the right direction. For more interesting articles on ladders and workplace safety, check out the rest of our blog.