How to look after your ladders through Winter
Whether you are using ladders as part of your job throughout winter, or whether you are simply putting up your festive decorations, it is important to safely store your ladder to ensure it is safe to use. In this article we will go through a number of ladder storage tips like how/where to store your ladders and much more.
Where and how should you store your ladders?
A ladder can feasibly be stored in any room that is big enough to store the entire ladder as well as being cool and dry. Although in the winter, it is also important not to store ladders in an area that will get too cold, such as garden sheds, since freezing temperatures can cause your ladders to become brittle and are therefore more likely to break, warp, crack, and decay. The ladder should be stored horizontally to avoid it falling by accident which could damage the ladder or cause harm to anyone going into the storage area.
There are a few ways to do this, the simplest being to push the flat ladder up against a wall, ensuring it is out of the way to avoid tripping hazards. Although this works, it is not ideal as it does create possible safety concerns and leaves the ladder vulnerable to damage, especially during winter when the ground can become particularly cold or icy. An even better way to store a ladder which avoids having them in the way or at risk of damage, is to use mounted storage racks which will keep them mounted on the wall and out of the way of potential hazards. Some ladder racks, such as the ones linked, are lockable which also adds safety and peace of mind that your equipment won’t be stolen or easily dislodged.
Can you store ladders outside?
Some ladders are quite weather-resistant, such as fibreglass ladders, but we recommend that ladders never be stored outside regardless of the type. Storing ladders outside can cause a variety of issues such as rust, degradation, damage to plastic fittings, rot (for wooden ladders), and corrosion of ropes. This is especially important in winter, as freezing temperatures, moisture, and snowfall will cause more, unique issues such as making the ladders more brittle and more likely to break, warping and decay (for wooden ladders) and cracking. To avoid these issues, we recommend storing ladders inside as prior mentioned.
When and how should you inspect your ladders?
Inspecting your ladders is an incredibly important part of ladder safety, especially during winter when the risk of damage is increased (for reasons seen above). When you should inspect your ladder varies depending on how often the ladder is used. If the ladder is used daily, it should have a formal inspection every 3 months, if the ladder is used weekly it should be inspected every 6 months and if it is used less than monthly then it should be inspected every 12 months.
It is also important to do a pre-use inspection each time you use a ladder, especially when it has come out of storage after a long time. A pre-check inspection consists of a visual inspection of the important components of the ladder. This includes the stiles, the feet, the rungs, any locking mechanism, any platforms, and the steps/treads. It is also important to remove any obstructions on the ladder that may make it difficult to see damage, such as dried paint or plaster, and in the winter, it is wise to check for ice or frost on equipment for that same reason. While inspecting you must ensure that there is no visible damage such as bent rungs, malfunctioning components, missing parts, etc. If you feel like you need a more in depth understanding of ladder safety and ladder inspections, which is especially useful if you work with ladders, we offer Ladder Association training, for both users and inspectors. For more information on how to look after your ladders in these ways, you can check out our other blog post on how to inspect and maintain your ladders.
Summary
In conclusion, it is important to store your ladders properly inside in a safe, cool, and dry room that is well ventilated. Although these requirements can change from product to product so it is always advised to read the instructions on each specific product or contact the manufacturer if you are unsure. You can also contact our expert team here at Ladderstore for any advice using our contact form or by calling 01204 590 232.