Working at Heights/Ladder Safety While Holiday Decorating

Up on the Roof Top Click Click Click…. No Falls from the Rooftop from Good Saint Nick...

Christmas is approaching rather quickly, and it's the time of year when everyone is getting ready to decorate their home for the holidays. It is easy to get into the mindset of getting these tasks done quickly rather than safely. We would like to share with you some tips for working at heights and ladder safety.

Here are some tips you’ll be able to use to ensure a much safer and enjoyable Holiday Season with Family and Friends.

Working from a Ladder and High Surfaces

Using a ladder is a great tool to use when decorating your household on the inside and the outside. But this tool can be one of the more dangerous tools that often gets downplayed. According to the CDC, over the past 3 years, more than 5,800 people have suffered from fall injuries related to decorating their household. 43 percent of these were caused by falling off ladders.

Over the past 3 years, more than 5,800 people have suffered from fall injuries related to decorating their household. 43 percent of these were caused by falling off ladders.

In addition to falling off ladders, another common injury during the holiday is falling off of roofs due to increased surface angle and the surface area being slippery.

Ladder Safety Tips and Working Safely at Heights

Here are some ladder/working at heights safety tips you can use this Holiday Season to help avoid any falls or accidents.

• Use three points of contact while climbing a ladder (2 feet, 1 hand – 2 hands, 1 foot). This gives the user a much more stable feel on the ladder.

• Never lean over the side of the ladder to move the center of balance. This could easily cause an extension ladder to slide or an A-frame ladder to become top heavy and tip.

• Never stand on the very top two rungs of an A-frame ladder.

• Inspect the ladder before every use, look for broken rungs, chips/cracks in the frame, and any missing bolts or hardware. If any wear and tear is found, refrain from using that ladder. Do not try and repair the ladder as it is put together by the manufacturer a certain way and modifications to the ladder could decrease its integrity.

• Follow all manufacturer specifications and guidelines (weight limit, uneven surfaces, etc.).

• Do not carry large tools or large amounts of tools with you while climbing. It's a safety concern for not only the climber but also for bystanders below. Use tool belts to assist you with carrying tools up ladders; this will free up hand functions and allow you to be quicker to respond in case of a slip or loss of balance.

• Use a spotter (second person). Having another person available is very important in case of a fall. They can get emergency services on the way immediately or assist with the project from below.

• Never adjust the ladder position when someone is on the ladder.

• If you are using an extension ladder, remember to extend the ladder at least three feet above the top of the roof.

• Another good practice is to secure the ladder to the roof or working surface when on an extension ladder. Use hooks, straps, or another device to ensure the ladder cannot shift or lean back from the working surface.

• While using an extension ladder make sure you are using the correct angle for the ladder. 75 degrees (4:1 ratio) from the surface is the rule of thumb. For example, if the roof you are working on is 20ft high, then ladder bottom should be 5ft from the wall or vertical surface.

• Always check the surface before placing or climbing a ladder. Avoid areas that are uneven, slippery, or protruding objects going through the rungs.

• Never work on the roof when it is icy or when inclement weather is present.

Ditch the Ladder Altogether

If you're not able to get a spotter, have a faulty ladder, or just want to eliminate your fall risk altogether, consider alternative methods such as other tools/services.

• Use a telescopic pole with a gripper head on one end and a trigger to release the grip head on the other side. These are great alternatives to using a ladder.

• Not everyone has comfortability with working at heights. There are services you can find that will hang the lights up for you. Check local papers, social media, and signage around your area for these services, or get to searching on Google.

• Instead of using string lights, use alternative lighting sources or decorations, such as laser projectors, inflatables, and window decorations. These still present the festive feeling but in a much safer way.

ENJOY THE HOLIDAY SEASON

We hope that these tips will help guide you towards safer holidays. Feeling festive? Show us your holiday decorations in the comments section.