Keeping Ladders Safe While Working On Electrical Systems!

 In order to avoid a serious accident or injury when working with or near electricity, be aware of your safety with the ladder you’re using. Many different types of ladders are on the market today, made of a variety of materials, but sticking with wooden ladders is the best way to protect yourself when working around electricity. You likely already know this, but you should opt for a ladder made of a non-conductive material, such as wood or Fibreglass Ladder. If you have never worked with electricity, then this information on ladder safety will be useful for you, so let’s begin.

1) Understand the basics of ladder safety.

There are a few safety measures you should check when climbing ladders, but especially important when working with electricity. A safe work area includes having level and secure footing, locking the ladder, and securing the safety arms, as well as being aware of overhead obstacles and clearing debris from above and around the ladder base below. Step ladders are often used for both inside and outside connections when working in the electrical industry.

Fibreglass Ladder

2) Understand the limits of your climbing ability.

In Loft Ladders safety stability is critical. Especially in more dangerous situations, you should never climb to the top or second to top step of a ladder. Obviously, this affects your balance and poses more risks. However, you should also avoid standing too low on the ladder and putting yourself in a position where you have to stretch your arms to reach the top.

For the task, it is advisable to get a taller ladder and always take precautions. If you don’t properly position yourself when using power tools, you could fall off if the drill bit sticks for instance. Electrical work is often accompanied by using power tools, which adds a level of danger.

3) For the ladder base, you need a solid and level surface

When you work with electricity, you may sometimes have trouble placing a ladder in awkward or difficult-to-reach places. It is important to choose a level working surface for your Little Giant Ladder, but if you must use dirt or gravel to level the surface, make sure that it is solid and fully compacted. Blocking material may sometimes also be necessary to level ladder bases. Choosing flat, solid boards or timbering for the ladder base makes it more difficult for them to slide off.

4) Be on the lookout for dangers hidden around you

When climbing an Aluminum Extension Ladders, be extra vigilant for dangers such as bare wires or obstacles you might hit your head-on. It is possible that there are overhead power lines in the area you are working, so keep that in mind before you begin to climb. Also, if you come off of the ladder there may be pipes or other objects sticking out of the ground that you can trip over or fall onto. It is a good idea to move these hazards out of the way before beginning your work.

5) The right ladder should be chosen

In terms of electrical work, wood and fibreglass are both non-conductive, making them excellent materials. You should weigh the advantages and disadvantages of these materials when choosing one over the other. Despite wood’s non-conductive nature, it isn’t ideal for outdoor conditions over a long period of time because it rots over time when wet. Fibreglass, on the other hand, will remain weather resistant for a long time, but it is more expensive than wood. It is up to you to decide which material will best suit your needs.

This concludes our discussion of electrical safety tips. Hopefully, you found some useful information. Visit our website to see the wide selection of Surveyors Ladder we offer to suit a range of DIY and construction projects. In case of further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact our team.