Working at any height is a risk; however, if you’re working on a roof, it’s important that roof safety systems are used. Before using a roof ladder to complete work on a roof, you should first consider whether there is any other practical way to complete the job without working at height. If there isn’t, it’s important you have a roof ladder to keep you safe.

A roof ladder is simply a ladder with two hooks attached on the end. These hooks are used to attach the ladder to the peak of a roof, making sure it is safe and secure to use while working on a roof.

Below, we share some safety tips for using a roof ladder.

Access the roof ladder safely

It’s important to take extra care when getting on and off a roof ladder. You should go up and down the roof ladder by crawling and gripping the rungs with your hands (and not the sides). You should have a good foothold on the rungs and a firm grip on the ladder too. Never face down when coming down the roof ladder; instead, crawl backwards on your front.

Do not overload the ladder

When moving up and down the ladder, your hands should be free. When taking tools up and down, use a tool belt instead of carrying them. The ladder should never be overloaded with tools or materials; this can cause the ladder to become unstable and unbalanced and is very dangerous.

Wear personal protective equipment

It’s important to wear the correct personal protective equipment when using a roof ladder and working on a roof:

• Protective footwear with steel toecaps (or equivalent) should be worn to protect your feet against dropped objects and prevent puncture by sharp materials.
• A safety helmet will protect you against anything that falls off the roof when climbing up and down, and protect your head in case you fall.
• Safety glasses will protect your eyes from dust or any other materials that could enter your eyes.
• Knee pads should be worn to protect your knees from strain and damage which may occur from compression and wear on the joint.

If you’re looking for roof ladders, look no further than Toptower. We also have a range of scaffold towers, podium steps and low level platforms available. Visit our website for more!