Loft Ladder Safety Tips
Safety is key when it comes to all DIY or home improvement projects, and the same can be said wherever you are entering and exiting the loft. When it comes to loft ladder safety, you can never be too cautious as hundreds of people suffer injuries from avoidable ladder falls each year. By following these loft ladder safety tips it’s easy to avoid any potential mishaps, especially if you use your loft ladder regularly.
Loft Ladder Safety 101
In this blog, we have listed some of the most important loft ladder safety tips. We’ll also discuss the features of loft ladders and attic ladders that can help increase attic ladder safety. By using your loft ladder safely, you can decrease your risk of injury as well as decrease the risk to others around you.
What Safety Features are Available with a Loft Ladder?
The best loft ladders are carefully designed to ensure the user’s safety. High-quality loft ladders will be made with sturdy materials, and come with clear instructions on how to install them. There are also plenty of additional parts you can purchase to make sure your ladder is extra secure, such as handrails and loft exit grab rails.
To ensure your loft ladder is safe you should make sure that:
- The ladder is sturdy
- The footholds and handholds are solid, nonslip, and correctly spaced
- The ladder comfortably meets the loft opening
- The ladder does not wobble or appear to strain when you put weight on it
- The ladder can be stowed away safely after use
Loft Ladder Safety- 5 precautionary tips when using ladders:
1. Wobbly Loft Ladders are a Red Flag
Even though most lofts get used infrequently (if only used as a storage space), loft ladder safety should not be taken lightly. The ladder should be sturdy and present solid handholds and footholds. It’s a good idea to check your loft ladder regularly to make sure all the features are in good order and there are no obvious signs of damage that could compromise its stability. If your ladder is very wobbly, this could be a sign that it is time to replace it to keep you and your family safe.
When checking your ladder, make sure that it is positioned firmly under the loft hatch or trap-door, and that it comfortably reaches the loft opening. Even the slightest wobble of unsteadiness could quickly become hazardous, so remain vigilant and check your ladder regularly for peace of mind.
2. Always Maintain 3 Points of Contact
When it comes to loft safety, one important point to remember is that it’s not just the ladder that needs to be safely installed and sturdy, it’s also how you use it. There is a right way and a wrong way to ascend or descend your loft ladder, and making sure you use it with care is crucial.
When using a loft ladder, you must keep three points of contact at all times. This makes sure that you always have a secure connection to the loft ladder when moving up or down it. Difficulty in maintaining the three-point contact rule may arise when you want to carry items in and out of the loft. In these instances, we suggest a second person standing by to help and hold the ladder.
3. Don’t Overload the Loft Ladder
Overloading yourself while ascending and descending a ladder can result in a serious injury. It’s far better to take two, three or however many trips are necessary up and down the ladder, than it is to carry too much and either lose balance or overload the ladder to the point of breaking.
UK loft ladder regulations mean that your loft ladder will come with a maximum load rating. Double-check the class rating and duty of the ladder, if you can't find your specific model, just remember as a general rule to never carry more than 130 kg when using a loft ladder.
At Loft Centre, we ensure all our loft ladders are compliant with loft ladder regulations, and provide our customers with all the necessary safety information they need when using our loft ladders. If you have one of our loft ladders, you can check the safety instructions on our website, simply type in the product name and navigate to the product description.
4. Wear Suitable Footwear
When using ladders, you should wear a flat, closed toe shoe. Shoes or trainers with a bit of grip are best. Foot wear like sandals or slippers can often have slippery soles which can cause a fall. Always double check your laces are tied before using the loft ladder.
5. Correct Installation Equals Loft Ladder Safety
The installation of your loft ladder can majorly affect your safety while using it, and most loft ladder accidents are due to incorrect ladder installation. Loft ladders that are fitted correctly, are installed into restricted spaces and are secure. Make sure you choose the right size loft ladder for the space you have. If you do, your ladder should be easy to install and will observe all safety regulations.
Standard, fitted loft ladders are sturdy objects: once they are installed they convey a sense of reassurance. The installation should be done by professional craftsmen or a DIY expert so that you can rest easy that all safety regulations have been observed. Often the hatch that leads to the loft needs changing to fit well with the model you have chosen; renewing an old hatch is another significant safety measure as you update to newer materials and systems.
How Can Loft Centre Help with Loft Ladder Safety?
Considering the importance of correct installation and quality materials to ensure optimum loft ladder safety, you should consult a specialised company, such as Loft Centre, who can recommend the safest system for your particular loft, and help you choose amongst the numerous ladder types. Although Loft Centre do not fit loft ladders, we supply an excellent range of safe, sturdy loft ladders that are easy to fit. All our loft ladders come with step-by-step installation instructions to ensure they are fitted correctly.
Most loft ladders come in metal or wood which either slide or fold up into the loft. Other models include concertina or folding loft ladders, all designed to discreetly disappear when not needed. Whichever you choose, the best safety measure is caution: if you have any doubts about the safety of your loft ladder, don’t use it. Call a professional who can assess whether you need to replace your loft ladder, and get in touch with the team at Loft Centre today to help you choose the perfect model for your home.
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