Don't Fall for the Wrong Ladder

Werner Ladder Company has stepped up to make ladder climbing easier and safer with The Equalizer. The innovative factory- installqd leveling system, promotes the safe use of an extension ladder on uneven ground.

The leveler teg, with its dual channel holes allows the ladder to be adjusted in 3/8'' increments up to 8 1/4'' to help the user set the ladder more accurately. A durable zinc-plated steel locking pin with detent ball secures the leveler at the proper height. In lab testing for strength and durability exceeding all ANSI and OSHA test requirements for extension ladders and levelers.

The last step features a bright blue inset surface with a built- in bubble level to help the user level the ladder side to side. The bubble level is recessed into the rung, and is resistant to cold temperature and abuse. Additionally, the visual and tactile alerts of colored surface and texture help the user know they are one step from the ground.

Ladders and scaffolding are two of the most common pieces of equipment used by contractors, but used improperly, they can also be two of the most dangerous.

Safe use of ladders and scaffolding are major focus areas for the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA), as violations in these areas can lead to fatal workplace falls. Falls were the number one cause of deaths for painting and wallcovering contractors in 2005, according to the 2005 Census of Fatal Injuries preliminary data recently released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data indicated that seventeen painting and wallcovering contractors had fatal falls in 2005.

"Being familiar with the OSHA regulations regarding proper use of ladders and scaffolds is critical in order to ensure employee safety," said Kathy O'Connell, OSHA area director, North Aurora, IL. Some of the most common misuses of ladders and scaffolding include "overloaded, broken or damaged equipment, lack of fall protection such as guardrails, or not having a safe way to access the scaffold," said O'Connell. For the fifth year in a row, Scaffolding (1926.451) was OSHA's most violated standard with 9,012 violations through September 30, 2006. The Ladders standard (1926.1053) was also on OSHA's list of top 10 violations, moving up from 10th place in 2005 to 9th in 2006. Ladder violations have been on the rise the last three years, climbing to 2,329 in 2006.

Extra care in choosing the right equipment and using it properly will not only help you avoid OSHA citations, but will also decrease your chances of costly employee injuries. Fewer employee injuries can improve employee effectiveness, speed job completion, and positively affect your bottom line. Most importantly, your diligence in this area could save a life.

Choosing the Right Ladder and Scaffolding

In order to make a safe ladder choice, duty rating, ladder length and the material from which the ladder is constructed are the most important elements to consider. Become familiar with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) duty ratings before selecting your ladder. When considering ladder length, keep in mind that the ladder length is not the same as the maximum working length for an extension ladder or the highest standing level of a stepladder. Matching the job and working environment with the proper ladder material is the third component in making the safest ladder choice. For example, if you will be working with or around electricity, it is important to choose a non-conductive material such as wood or fiberglass.

The easiest and fastest way to determine the scaffold setup that is best for you is to speak to the scaffold dealer you are considering purchasing from. They will ask you a series of questions to help assess your scaffold needs. In situations where the equipment you own will not safely meet your needs, consider renting the proper equipment. A good rental company will be familiar with OSHA regulations and can recommend the safest scaffold for your job.

Using Equipment Safely

Here are just a few things you can do to help ensure safe use of ladders and scaffolding. First, provide proper training to all employees. Read the labels and manufacturer information provided with the product. Inspect your equipment before each use, verifying that all parts are appropriately tightened, secured, and functioning properly. Never make temporary repairs to damaged equipment.

Use safe set up procedures, being careful to place feet of equipment firmly on even ground. Make sure ladder spreaders or scaffold casters are securely locked. Do not overload a scaffold or exceed the weight recommendation of a ladder.

Take care to avoid contact with electrical wires when moving ladders or scaffolding. Do not overreach, it is safer to move the ladder or scaffolding to a new location as needed. Always climb down from the ladder to reposition it. Never stand on the paint shelf or spreaders of a stepladder. Finally, don't climb on the cross braces of a scaffold; use the built-in ladders.

The Pro-Jax Utility Scaffold by Bil-Jax

The Pro-Jax Utility Scaffold by Bil-Jax, Inc. is a lightweight scaffold ideal for indoor use. It rolls through doorways, making it convenient to move from room to room and can be easily set up by one person. "It can be used over furniture, and because the height is adjustable in 2" increments, it is a very flexible and useful tool," said Chuck Hutchinson, vice president, sales and marketing, Bil- Jax, Inc. "It can be set up on stairways as well, providing a level platform."

The Pro-Jax scaffold offers a load capacity of 1000 lbs and has steel bars supporting the walk board. Holes are punched in both sides of the frame, making set up faster and easier. "Bil-Jax provides high quality products that last for years. That is why we are the number one brand in scaffolding," said Hutchinson.

For more information, or to find a Bil-Jax dealer near you, visit www.biljax.com or call 1-800-537-0540.

Articulated Ladders by ClimbTek

The ClimbTek CT412 is a 12' articulated ladder that "can be used for more purposes than any other ladder on the market today," said John C. Greko, general manager, ClimbTek, Inc. "Any tool of the trade that can be used for more than one purpose is of greater value to a contractor."

The ClimbTek CT416 is a 16' articulated ladder with self- contained scaffolding and locking scaffold boards that can be stored in the folded ladder. The CT416 offers "more stairway positions than other multi-purpose ladder," said Greko. "There is no need for large, heavy, long extension planks that cost as much as the ladder itself and don't fold."

The ClimbTek CT412 and CT416 both have Extra Heavy Duty Industrial, 300 Ib ratings and three sets of hinges. "Multipurpose ladders that have only one set of hinges are limited in their use as compared to the ClimbTek articulated ladders that have three sets of hinges," said Greko. The ClimbTek ladders also have a single hand release rod that ties the pair of hinges together. "This patented one hand release makes the ClimbTek ladder the easiest articulated ladder in the market to use," said Greko.

For more information, visit www.climbtek.com, or call 1-877-636- 7555.

The Crawler by Crawler Products

The Crawler is a scaffold moving device that can be used without climbing off the platform. The Crawler attaches easily and moves any "Baker style" or fold-up scaffolding and is powered by your cordless drill. "There is no other product like the Crawler in the market place," said Randall Beckham, principal, Crawler Products. "OSHA states that most scaffold accidents happen while climbing on and off the scaffold. The Crawler keeps the worker on the scaffold, thereby reducing the opportunity for injury to occur," said Beckham.

The Crawler offers one hand steering and throttle control, zero degree turning radius, forward and reverse and a telescopic caster locking pole, which locks and unlocks all popular brands of casters without dismounting the platform. "With the Crawler, you simply un- lock your casters, drive to the next work position, lock the casters and begin working," said Beckham. "Using the Crawler reduces the time required to complete the job, end-of-the-day fatigue, and wear on the knees, hips and back."

Crawler Products also offers their own Crawler brand scaffold. "Our scaffolding is the best built in the industry and offers tremendous safety features that other scaffold manufacturers don't offer - safety features such as a trap door, thicker walk board, and smoother rolling casters, just to name a few," said Beckham.

For more information, or to find a Crawler dealer near you, visit www.crawlerproducts.com or call 1-866-572-8297.

The Painters Ladder by Little Giant

The Painters Ladder by Little Giant is a new product, released this fall. It is a full multi-use ladder offering many different positions, including: A-frame, extension, 90-degree, stairs, and two trestles used to support scaffolding. "The Painters Ladder by Little Giant is the perfect tool," said H. Art Wing, president, Little Giant Ladder Systems. "It is the lightest multi-use ladder on the market."

"The ladder has a very small storage foot-print making it easy to store and transport in almost any vehicle," said Wing. The Painters Ladder features flared legs, patented locking hinges, durable locking rung tabs, and ai\rcraft grade aluminum, as well as unique features such as double-pass welded rungs and gripping rubber feet. "Our painting contractor customers tell us they love the Painters Ladder because of its small storage size. It is so easy to maneuver inside a house, without damaging walls or staircases, but expands to a full sized ladder allowing them to tackle any project," said Wing.

For more information, or to find a dealer near you, visit www.littlgiantladder.com or call 1-800-453-1192.

Telesteps Ladders by Telesteps

Telesteps ladders telescope up to 12.5' or down to a compact 30'' in seconds. They are made from light-weight, yet sturdy, aircraft grade aluminum alloys. "Nothing else on the market telescopes up and down in seconds to just the right height needed, and no other ladder in the world is as easy to carry, easy to use and easy to store," said Ernie Couillard, vice president sales and marketing, Telesteps INC.

Telesteps' compact size enables you to store it in the trunk of your car or behind the seat in your truck, eliminating the need for a roof rack or van to transport your ladder. "This ladder can be taken and used in many tight places where a conventional ladder will not fit, such as elevators and stair wells, and it can be carried by just one person, cutting down transport and setup time," said Couillard.

For more information on Telesteps, visit www. telesteps. net or call 1-800-819-4344.

TELESTEPS compact size enables you to store it in the trunk of your car or behind the seat of your truck.

The Crawler lets you move your scaffold without demounting.

The Painters Ladder by Little Giant is lightweight, easy to maneuver, multi-use ladder that expands to full size.

Three sets of hinges and the one-hand release rod make ClimbTek ladders versatile and easy to use.

The Pro-Jax Utility Scaffold by Bil-Jax rolls easily through doorways and can be used on stairways and over furniture. Photo courtesy of Bil-Jax

Copyright Finan Publishing Company, Inc. Jan/Feb 2007

(c) 2007 Painting & Wallcovering Contractor. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.