Why it is necessary to tie off an extension ladder
Ladders have for a long time being a very essential and convenient accessory to perform various tasks. Traditionally wooden ladders were used in houses and factories. The use of steel ladders have mostly replaced the wooden ladders. Now modern extension ladders are allowing further comfort and convenient to workers who use ladders to accomplish numerous work. Extension ladders have two sections that operate in brackets and allow a person to adjust the ladder at variable lengths.
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But as all ladders, extension ladders are not a safe accessory to use unless preventive fall protection steps are carried out first. There are certain rules and regulations which can keep a worker safe while working on an extension ladder. The rules include set of instruction on how to tie off an extension ladder. Fall from ladders is fairly common and can result in both minor and severe injuries.
Many times ladders are placed and people in houses and even workers in factories without careful attention or preparation try to access the ladders. The extension ladders should be first safely secured and tied before workers are allowed to climb them. The instructions and steps involved in how to tie off an extension ladder are as follows
• First a solid and stable piece of the ground should be selected to place the extension ladder
• As extension ladders are not self-supporting, the ladders should be supported against a strong structure like the wall of the house or building
• The bottom part of the ladders should be tied to provide strength and stability and prevent ladder from moving due to shift in weight
• The extension ladder must be extended at least three feet from the platform, the ladder is placed
• The top part of the ladder should also be tied so that the ladder does not sway when worker ascends and descends with his tools.
