Sometimes, when you’re working at height, scaffolding isn’t required. For example, roof ladders are a popular method of carrying out work on buildings, such as replacing tiles or performing maintenance on flat roofs. However, as with many other duties that are performed on a daily basis in the construction industry, roof work is deemed a high-risk activity as it involves working at height. Therefore, it’s very important to protect yourself and your employees throughout each project that you undertake.
According to the HSE, almost a quarter of workers that are killed by falls from height are roofers, and the primary causes of these fatalities are falling through fragile materials and from the edge of roofs. Falls from ladders, stepladders, and scaffolding also cause a high number of deaths. Studies show that the majority of accidents involving roof ladders occur when the ladder is not securely fixed and/or footed.
Those at risk of injury when using roof ladders aren’t just trained roofers, but also surveyors and maintenance workers. Even though the HSE believes that health and safety statistics in the construction industry are steadily improving, it remains concerned that the number of deaths, serious injuries, and instances of ill health that are associated with construction work remain the highest of all industries. To get the message across to as many people as possible, the HSE has published a book called “Working on Roofs”, which can be downloaded free-of-charge from the HSE website.
At Zig Zag Access, we sell two types of roof ladder – double extension and single section. These differ from regular ladders in two ways. Firstly, they have two hooks at the end, which allow you to attach the ladder to the peak of the roof. Secondly, they have two wheels, which enable you to push the ladder up to the top of the ridge without damaging the tiles.
Dedicated roof ladders, such as the ones on our website, are one of the easiest methods of performing work on roofs, although they are sometimes used in conjunction with staging systems for safety reasons.
Before commencing any work, it’s essential to select the correct type of ladder for the job, e.g., it is not recommended that metal ladders are used near live electrical systems. Before use, you should always check for broken or loose rungs, corrosion, and warping.
Our roof ladders are available to buy in both single and double sections, which can be extended to a variety of lengths, depending on the model in question. For example, the TRL141 has a maximum length of 4.5m while the TRL245 has a maximum length of 7.6m.
If you’re unsure which type of roof ladder is best suited to your needs, why not visit us at our Leeds store on Geldard Road, where our friendly and knowledgeable team can assist you? Alternatively, you can call us on 0113 279 9000.
We sell a wide range of access equipment, and can therefore also advise you on scaffolding and temporary walkways.
Purchase your roof ladders with a trade account now
It’s easy to purchase and hire scaffolding and access products through Zig Zag Access, particularly when you have a trade account. You can even open an account with us online, and we offer next day delivery across Leeds and West Yorkshire as standard in most cases.
UA Media