b'messenger MIDWEST INSULATION CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION 7250 POE AVE., SUITE 410 - DAYTON, OH 45414 - micainsulation.org VOLUME 59NO.3 March 2025 WHATS INSIDE THIS MONTH:You have to know whether or not these are tasks that can be accessed with a self-supporting step ladder, for example, or a leanable, non-self-supporting, single or extension Choose your Ladder Wiselyladder. They are sometimes called multi-purpose ladders that can be used as a stepladder or leanable ladder. Presidents Message Creating Safet JobsitesChad Lingerfelt, National Safety Training Manager for Illinois-based WernerCo, picked up on several of Van Agentic AIWhats with the buzz?Brees points. He also offered a few tips of his own. Number one is indeed choosing the right ladder for the Dodge Momentum Indexright job, he said. To that end, he noted, there are several Workwear for Women in Skilled Tradeskey factors to take into account. Among them is the type of ladder, what kind of job(s) it will be used for, and making Construction Job Openings decreasesure the ladder can reach high enough for the job(s) you will be trying to do. Plus, he added, make sure you have Handling a Toxic Employeelevel ground or that you have the appropriate ladder that Safety Before the First StepMore on Ladderyou can adjust to the surface youre on. SafetyHis colleague, Stacy Gardella, also chimed in. WernerCos Vice President of Brand Marketing said, People forget about load capacity. Its not just the individuals, but the individuals and the equipment theyll be using. So, when The First Step of Safety: Choose Your Ladder Wisely choosing a ladder, take that factor into consideration. Just ask Michael Van Bree, Director of Product SafetyDave Francis, National Safety Director for Little Giant and Engineering at Louisville Ladder. For years, his roleLadder Systems, LLC in Utah, said there is no getting has been to cover the safety and engineering concerns ofaround the reality that much of the public thinks of ladders his company as it relates to its products.as being somewhat dangerous. Statistically, we know that He remarked, The key considerations when choosingladders are involved in accidents resulting in disabilities your ladder are to select a ladder of the proper material.and even fatalities, he concluded. But ladders themselves If you are in a conductive environment, for example, youare overbuilt for what they do. They are just misused. would want to choose a non-conductive material likePeople, when trying to get the job done, cut corners and fiberglass. If lightest weight is most important, thentake risks that they shouldnt . . A ladder used properly aluminum might give you a little bit lighter weight. Ofand in good condition will never be the cause of an course, you have to be able to safely reach the work. So,accident. On some level, the responsibility is on you, the there is size to consider. And then youve got the dutyuser, to take what we make as an overbuilt product, follow rating that is an important factor. In other words, youthe basic rules, and youll be safe. dont want to select a ladder that isnt suitable for yourBy Teddy Durgin girth and weight. Finally, there is the style of the ladder.1'