3 pros!
Whether it’s a 2-foot stepladder or 24-foot extension ladder, climbing up the rungs can give even the most experienced painters the jitters.
It doesn’t take much to cause a spill or mechanical injury. Put your fear to rest and make safety a high priority by brushing up on these ladder safety tips.
1. Choose the right ladder
A 6-foot stepladder will work with just about any interior paint job (vaulted/cathedral ceilings being the exception). Work with a stepladder inside and with extension ladders outside.
2. The Goldilocks principle
Not too short, not too tall, but somewhere in the middle of where you need to reach is where you want the ladder to rest. A little extra height means never coming up short and having to teeter on the top rung or step. A ladder with too much extra height can become cumbersome.
3. Consider the angle
When working with extension or prop ladders, the angle between the floor/ground and base of the ladder should be somewhere in the range of 60 degrees: not so steep that the ladder is practically straight up and down, and not so shallow that the ladder bottom will slide out when there’s weight on the top of it.
4. Set up for range
Position the ladder with the next move in mind, optimizing reach and mobility.
5. Test, test and test again
Step on the bottom rung, grab both rails and give the shimmy your weight. Hop around a little. If the ladder’s tilted due to uneven surfaces, you’ll feel the telltale wobble. Reposition until both feet of the ladder are firmly planted and immobilized.
Remember to be patient and take your time when painting. Above all else, respect the ladder and your surroundings when using one.
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