Why is Important to Use Caged Ladders?
December 17, 2019
Ladders
are of great use in several situations, from changing a simple bulb to
reaching roofs for any complex repairs. Though it is useful in crucial
times, the risk of falling from a ladder is always a disadvantage. It’s
not going to be easy to climb a multi-storey building without any
protection. It is the responsibility of every employer to provide safe
working zones for their employees. Falling from a ladder is the main
cause of serious accidents in the workplace. Many people use ladders for
both construction and industrial purpose without knowing the ladder
safety requirements. Every employee must be trained with these safety
requirements in order to avoid mishaps.
Cagged Ladders |
Importance of Using Caged Ladders
Caged ladder is a necessary safety requirement for aerial workers.
Even after several safety precautions, if a worker accidentally slips
off from a ladder or loses his grip, this is where caged ladders are of
great help. A caged ladder is a shock-absorbent encasement that is seven
feet in height or greater in length. The caged ladder is used to
protect the person to fall off from high places. Generally, these caged
ladders are used in places like towers, water tanks, and fire escapes.
These cages are generally attached to either fixed ladders or buildings.
It can help the Aerial workers to work without the fear of falling.
Ladder Safety Requirements to Follow:
- It is very important to check your shoes before climbing the ladder. Though it might sound crazy, there might be small elements such grease or mud that may cause you to slip. It is also essential that soles of the shoes are free from screws, nails, and debris.
- Do not wear leather soles.
- Inspect the side rails for cracks and flaws.
- It is important to inspect the duty rating of the ladder. It should always be more than the total weight of the person who is climbing.
- Carry any kind of object while climbing the ladder is not advised. It is observed that fifty percent of accidents occur due to fact that climbers carry extra objects in hand and fail to get grip when climbing.
Giving
your employees enough training on these safety requirements will help
them to prevent accidents in the long run when using caged ladders.
How are they made?
Caged
ladders are built either using metal or fiberglass. These ladders are
made from heavy-duty aluminum material that is resistant to corrosions.
It looks similar to that of a corset with a long contracted waist. With a
slightly wider base and mouth, the cage compromises of vertical bars
that make it look like a tube. This tube is named as “well”. The
vertical bars measure about nine inches in length. They are supported by
horizontal bands that have a gap of at least four feet between them.
From the center of the ladder’s thread, the rear end of the cage is
measured to be greater than that of thirty inches in length. The width
of the cage will be approximately thirty inches. It should be noted that
there should be no projections or metal objects that obstruct the
interior of caged ladders.
The
cage must be efficient enough to hold around two hundred pounds. The
maximum climbing height of a single ladder is 10m. Handrails must be
provided around the platforms at around 1100mm thickness for the top
rails. There must be a gap of around 450mm in between the handrails. The
caged ladders are mainly designed for easy use. It can be customized
based on the need of the individual.
It
is always important to choose a good quality caged ladder from reputed
manufacturers. This will not only provide your employees with fall
protection but also the comfort to work without the fear of losing their
life.
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