Ladder safety on roofs in bad weather
Posted on 16th Mar, 2012 | By Lorretta Tatham
When using roof ladders, working platforms or standing on the roof itself, workers need to use fall protection systems, such as guardrails, barricades and other effective measures.
Fall protection is necessary on all roofs, including flat ones.
It is sometimes necessary to remove snow and ice build-up to prevent structural damage or collapse.
Ladder safety
When using portable roof ladders to remove ice and snow or to conduct repairs. When working with ladders, workers should:
– While on the ladder, use slip resistant footwear.
– All the rungs on the ladder must be completely free of oil, grease and ice
– While travelling up and down the ladder, face it, and hold on using both your hands.
– Keep at least one hand on the ladder at all times.
– If you are working around electricity, never use a metal/aluminium ladders.
– Roof ladders must be extended at least three or four feet above the roof itself.
– Tie down the ladder at the support point.
– Use a ladder feet or another method to ensure the bottom of the ladder is non-slippery.
– Do not work from the top few rungs of a ladder.
– Do not overreach in either direction. This will unbalance the ladder
– The correct slop of the ladder should be 4 (vertical) to 1 (horizontal).
Visit the ladder safety section for more information.