How to install a roof ladder

Today on the Browns Ladders blog, we’re giving you some more safety advice with our great How to install a roof ladder guide. We’ll give you all that you need to know on fitting your roof ladder and how to use it safely. Read on to find out more…

You’ll require a roof ladder when you need to complete any work on a roof. The equipment itself is fairly simple. It’s just a ladder with two hooks attached on the end, which allow the ladder to attach to the peak of a roof, securing it in place.

Choosing and fitting the ladder

• When choosing your ladder, makes sure it complies with the EN 131 standard or the Class 1 standard. If you are buying a roof hook kit then the ladder that you attach the roof hook to should be at least BS EN 131 standard.
• Make sure your roof ladder is long enough. It needs to be at least three rungs above the gutter. In order to choose the correct size ladder in the first place, you need to give consideration to the overall length of the ladder and make sure that it is long enough to reach from the eaves to the roof ridge.
• Ensure both your extension ladder and roof ladder are stable. Place the feet of the ladder on firm, even ground.
• Ensure you use roof ladder link clamps to clamp your extension ladder (used to climb up on the roof) to your roof ladder. This will make the overall structure more secure and less likely to slide apart when you move from one to the other.

Using the ladder

• Avoid carrying things up and down the ladder. You should try and remain to have as much contact with the ladder as possible. It’s better to attach things to your belt or haul them up in a bucket on a string.
• Don’t work from a roof in poor weather situations – such as high winds or heavy rain.
• If you are being assisted from below – ensure all colleagues are safe. Whenever someone is working at elevation, there’s a chance of something falling and hurting someone below. Hard hats and personal protection equipment are essential and do remember to secure your tools as best you can.
• If you’re going to be up on the roof for any length of time, get a safety line. You can use a climbing harness, but a full-body harness is safer because it keeps you upright in a fall. Ideally secure it to the top of the roof.
• Check your access equipment frequently. Make sure that all bolts and nuts are tight and that everything is staying in its proper position.
• Consider using safety nets to protect everyone working in the area. Beanbags or inflatable air-bag systems are also useful to have rigged close under the work surface.

Browse our range of easy-to-use and durable roof ladders. All the products within the range are a lightweight design, making them ideal for moving around and carrying up to a roof.

Have you got any tips on how to work safely from a roof ladder? If so, tell us in the comments below or tweet us @BrownsLadders