44
Maintaining and storing your
ladder
Keep the ladder in a clean, dry place.
Hold the ladder fi rmly when carrying it.
Never store materials on your ladder.
Keep your ladder clean and free from any
foreign matter.
Clean the ladder after each use.
Regularly check the parts and hinges of the
ladder. Oil the hinges regularly but do so
carefully to ensure no oil drips on the rungs
or side rails.
For regular inspection, the following items
shall be taken into account:
- check that the stiles/legs (uprights)
are not bent, bowed, twisted, dented,
cracked, corroded or rotten;
- check that the stiles/legs around the
fi xing points for other components are in
good condition;
- check that fi xings (usually rivets, screws
or bolts) are not missing, loose, or
corroded;
- check that rungs/steps are not missing,
loose, excessively worn, corroded or
damaged;
- check that the hinges between front and
rear sections are not damaged, loose or
corroded;
- check that the locking stays horizontal,
back rails and corner braces are not
missing, bent, loose, corroded or
damaged;
- check that the rung hooks are not
missing, damaged, loose or corroded and
engage properly on the rungs;
- check that guide brackets are not
missing, damaged, loose or corroded and
engage properly on the mating stile;
- check that rubber feet / end caps are
not missing, loose, excessively worn,
corroded or damaged;
- check that the entire ladder is free from
contaminants (e.g. dirt, mud, paint, oil or
grease);
- check that locking catches (if fi tted) are
not damaged or corroded and function
correctly;
- check that the platform (if fi tted) has
no missing parts or fi xings and is not
damaged or corroded.
If any of the above checks cannot be fully
satisfi ed, you should NOT use the ladder.
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