Summer is the perfect time to enjoy your outdoor space. Whether you're firing up the barbecue, relaxing on the patio with a good book or enjoying the long evenings outside with family and friends, now's the season to get outside and make the most of your garden.
A recent case reported by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has highlighted the very real dangers of improper ladder use.
Back in December 2023, a labourer in the West Midlands suffered serious injuries after falling from a ladder that had been placed across a stairwell opening. Following an HSE investigation, the Staffordshire-based construction firm that appointed the worker has been fined £16,000 (plus £4,000 in costs). On top of this, the company's director – who was working nearby when the incident occurred – has been fined £2,000 (plus £1,386 in costs).
A recent news report highlights the danger of using cheap, poorly-made telescopic ladders.
Photo credit: Mark Hunter (licensed under CC BY 2.0)
According to this Metro article, an electrician suffered broken ribs after falling around 15 feet onto a concrete floor when his telescopic ladder reportedly snapped in half. The ladder had been purchased online via Amazon.
Incidents like this are a serious reminder that when you're working at height, the quality of your ladder really matters.
Combination ladders are highly versatile tools that can transform between a stepladder, extension ladder and stairwell ladder using locking mechanisms.
PICTURED: Krause Light Trade Combination Ladder
This versatility makes combination ladders a little more complex to set up than standard, single-purpose ladders, but don’t fret! This blog will teach you how to use a combination ladder and break it down into easy steps.
Using a ladder to work on a roof can be incredibly dangerous without the right equipment. In fact, around 48,000 Brits take a trip to A&E every year as a result of a ladder accident in and around the home. Worse still, the number of ladder-related fatalities also makes for seriously grim reading.
So, whether you’re repairing tiles or cleaning gutters, a roof ladder is an essential tool for safety and stability and knowing how to use one correctly can significantly reduce the risk of potentially life altering accidents.
