Retirees who have to live off their interest-based income investments are often a victim of interest rate swings that can lower their interest income significantly. Chasing after high interest rates without a strategy can often leave them with less income than they could get with a laddering strategy. Here’s the situation…

*Interest-rate based investments and their behavior:

Interest-based investments come from certificates of deposit (CDs), bonds, and annuities. These types of investments tend to be more secure than stock-based investments. And that’s what makes them attractive to those who depend on them for their living expenses.

But interest rates fluctuate over time; sometimes rising and then falling. This causes interest-based earnings – and the income they supply to people – also to vary. Everyone wants to lock in their interest-based investment when rates are high and not have to suffer through the low interest rate periods with a low income.

Additionally, at whatever the prevailing interests rates are¸ interest rate-based investments typically offer their higher rates for longer maturity investments. It’s always nice to get the highest of the prevailing rates, but that means being locked into a longer maturity. That’s a problem if prevailing rates are low – and especially if you think they may be going up soon.

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*Chasing a higher interest rate can be a problem:

If you invest all you have when rates are historically high, that’s great; you’ll earn allot for your investment before they mature. However, when interest rates are low, you may have to invest because you need the income; but you don’t want to be locked into low rates for a long term maturity in case interest rates go up. That presents a dilemma for you.

If you try to sell out of a long term maturity investment early to buy into rising rate investments, you’ll generally pay a stiff penalty or suffer a loss of principal – as you would on a bond. You could buy shorter maturity units to preserve your ability to buy when rates go up, but that leaves you with even a lower rate than you could get at that time.

Without a strategy, you’re forever chasing after a higher interest rate while getting less than the best rate at any one time. There is a better approach. And that’s ‘laddering your investment’.

*The Laddering Principle:

Laddering is based on dividing your investment money into equal parts – three, four, or even up to 10 parts. You need to work into the situation where each of these parts is invested at the longest maturity time to garner the highest prevailing rate when you bought that part; you’ll hold each part to maturity with each maturing at successively later times. As each part reaches maturity, you reinvest it again at the highest prevailing rate.

Under this circumstance, you’ll still be subject to changing interest rates, but your time-staggered investments will smooth out your income fluctuations and yet have them arise only from the highest rates that prevailed when bought.

*How do you begin to implement your laddering strategy?

For CDs and Bonds, you begin by dividing your full investment into perhaps 5 equal parts. The number of parts depends on the amount of money you have. Invest one part into the longest maturity investment to get the highest prevailing interest rate. Invest each remaining part with consecutively shorter time to maturity; you hold all them to that maturity, though. Obviously you’ll get a lower interest on the shorter times; but that will change as time goes on.

Now as each investment comes to maturity, you’ll reinvest it into the longest maturity possible. That’ll get you the highest prevailing rate at that time. Keep this up, and you’ll have all your parts invested at the longest maturities invested at the highest prevailing rates. Now you’re properly laddered.

Annuities are handled somewhat analogously. But that’s for another article.

Little Giant Ladder 10506-110 Legend Model 22 Type 1A 300-Pound Rated Ladder with Wheels

• Enjoy stability in any configuration thanks to aircraft-grade aluminum, the Triple-Lock Hinge, wide-flared legs, and the highest quality construction
• Use the Legend Model 22 in up to 33 configurations, including A-frame, extension, 90-degree ladders and three different scaffolding positions
• Reach some of the toughest areas such as the space above the staircase, vaulted ceilings; and use your ladder over and around obstacles.
• The Little Giant Legend Model 22 exceeds all OSHA and ANSI standards and is rated to hold up to 300 lbs.
• Use the right ladder for the right job every time and avoid 95 percent of all ladder-related safety issues.

The Little Giant Legend is made of Heavy-wall 6005-T5 Aircraft aluminum alloy. It combines 24 different ladders into one convenient ladder system. The Little Giant Ladder System offers the versatility of A-frame ladder, 90 degree, stairway ladder, extension ladder, and two 5′ scaffold trestles in one compact storage design.

List Price: $ 399.80

Price: $ 319.00

Retirees who have to live off their interest-based income investments are often a victim of interest rate swings that can lower their interest income significantly. Chasing after high interest rates without a strategy can often leave them with less income than they could get with a laddering strategy. Here’s the situation…

*Interest-rate based investments and their behavior:

Interest-based investments come from certificates of deposit (CDs), bonds, and annuities. These types of investments tend to be more secure than stock-based investments. And that’s what makes them attractive to those who depend on them for their living expenses.

But interest rates fluctuate over time; sometimes rising and then falling. This causes interest-based earnings – and the income they supply to people – also to vary. Everyone wants to lock in their interest-based investment when rates are high and not have to suffer through the low interest rate periods with a low income.

Additionally, at whatever the prevailing interests rates are¸ interest rate-based investments typically offer their higher rates for longer maturity investments. It’s always nice to get the highest of the prevailing rates, but that means being locked into a longer maturity. That’s a problem if prevailing rates are low – and especially if you think they may be going up soon.

]]>

*Chasing a higher interest rate can be a problem:

If you invest all you have when rates are historically high, that’s great; you’ll earn allot for your investment before they mature. However, when interest rates are low, you may have to invest because you need the income; but you don’t want to be locked into low rates for a long term maturity in case interest rates go up. That presents a dilemma for you.

If you try to sell out of a long term maturity investment early to buy into rising rate investments, you’ll generally pay a stiff penalty or suffer a loss of principal – as you would on a bond. You could buy shorter maturity units to preserve your ability to buy when rates go up, but that leaves you with even a lower rate than you could get at that time.

Without a strategy, you’re forever chasing after a higher interest rate while getting less than the best rate at any one time. There is a better approach. And that’s ‘laddering your investment’.

*The Laddering Principle:

Laddering is based on dividing your investment money into equal parts – three, four, or even up to 10 parts. You need to work into the situation where each of these parts is invested at the longest maturity time to garner the highest prevailing rate when you bought that part; you’ll hold each part to maturity with each maturing at successively later times. As each part reaches maturity, you reinvest it again at the highest prevailing rate.

Under this circumstance, you’ll still be subject to changing interest rates, but your time-staggered investments will smooth out your income fluctuations and yet have them arise only from the highest rates that prevailed when bought.

*How do you begin to implement your laddering strategy?

For CDs and Bonds, you begin by dividing your full investment into perhaps 5 equal parts. The number of parts depends on the amount of money you have. Invest one part into the longest maturity investment to get the highest prevailing interest rate. Invest each remaining part with consecutively shorter time to maturity; you hold all them to that maturity, though. Obviously you’ll get a lower interest on the shorter times; but that will change as time goes on.

Now as each investment comes to maturity, you’ll reinvest it into the longest maturity possible. That’ll get you the highest prevailing rate at that time. Keep this up, and you’ll have all your parts invested at the longest maturities invested at the highest prevailing rates. Now you’re properly laddered.

Annuities are handled somewhat analogously. But that’s for another article.

Little Giant Ladder 10506-110 Legend Model 22 Type 1A 300-Pound Rated Ladder with Wheels

• Enjoy stability in any configuration thanks to aircraft-grade aluminum, the Triple-Lock Hinge, wide-flared legs, and the highest quality construction
• Use the Legend Model 22 in up to 33 configurations, including A-frame, extension, 90-degree ladders and three different scaffolding positions
• Reach some of the toughest areas such as the space above the staircase, vaulted ceilings; and use your ladder over and around obstacles.
• The Little Giant Legend Model 22 exceeds all OSHA and ANSI standards and is rated to hold up to 300 lbs.
• Use the right ladder for the right job every time and avoid 95 percent of all ladder-related safety issues.

The Little Giant Legend is made of Heavy-wall 6005-T5 Aircraft aluminum alloy. It combines 24 different ladders into one convenient ladder system. The Little Giant Ladder System offers the versatility of A-frame ladder, 90 degree, stairway ladder, extension ladder, and two 5′ scaffold trestles in one compact storage design.

List Price: $ 399.80

Price: $ 319.00

Construction Worksites are hazardous environments at the best of times but adding in the dangers of working at height and in environments where electricity is a factor and your workers will start demanding only the best in safety equipment and clothing. Power Tools Pro stock a full range of combination, extension, warehouse and specialist ladders as well as Tough and Rugged Workwear from leading brands such as Scruffs – ideal for any heavy duty industrial work.

Working at height is often unavoidable and Aluminium ladders are a perfect conductor for electricity. GRP on the other hand is just as strong as aluminium and is perfectly resistant to both electricity and the effects of harsh chemicals.

The Summit 1300-081 Combination ladder provides a stable and versatile working platform. As an A frame ladder it will reach to 2.9m and unfolded it can reach 5.47m, plenty to safely reach between storeys on a building site or to make repairs to fittings on telegraph posts. With a capacity of up to 150kg the Summit 1300-081 is strong enough to handle heavy duty use.

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Some jobs require a stable working platform at height, Summit produce a line of Warehouse Ladders, that range from 1.67m to well over 3m height and featuring platforms from .75 m to 1m square. The Summit 2003-003 Warehouse Ladder is at the smaller end of the spectrum but features lockable wheels for stability and a caged work platform to ensure worker safety while working at height.

Scruffs Pro Trousers are ideal for any worksite. A generous cut ensures mobility and comfort, even in cramped conditions. The shell features Cordura reinforcement to protect garment and wearer from scrapes and scuffs while also keeping the wearer warm and dry. Removable Knee padding reduces strain and impact to knees in roles where kneeling and prone working is common. As a leading manufacturer of work wear, Scruffs Workwear have made sure to provide enough loops, pockets and webbing to carry a fair sized toolkit – essential for working from a ladder, to reduce the number of trips to the toolbox for different tools. Power Tools Pro Stock the Scruffs Pro trousers in Black, Blue, Grey and Brown.

Rigger boots are popular on building sites and external working environments because of their comfort levels and protective design keeps feet, safe, dry and comfortable for a full day on site. The Cyclone 2 Rigger boots from Scruffs are some of the best in the business, with a genuine Goodyear outer sole heat welded to the inner and upper materials. Rugged materials make this boot resistant to Oil, heat and chemical and the midsole is specially designed to prevent piercing, this, along with the steel toe cap, reduce the chances of an injury from an incautious step. The tough upper of the boot is made from crazyhorse leather, tough and hard wearing in all conditions. Correct sizing for rigger boots is important as you will definitely have these for a long time.

Power Tools Pro stock a wide range of Industrial power tools from major manufacturers, Bosch, Makita, DeWALT and others. We specialise in Cordless power tools as well as heavy industrial power tools.

Owning a home business that utilizes things like ladders, lumber, steel piping and other lengthy items that require to be hauled to numerous function web sites can be produced easier with the use of racks built specifically for that purpose. Even so, when in enterprise for your self, obtaining revenue to cover the price of items like this might be difficult. Discount ladder racks present a remedy for not just your home business but your wallet also. You’ll find certain features that should match up together with your certain wants as you’ll find different models readily available in the marketplace right now. By understanding what you are going to be hauling, it will need to be relatively effortless to decide on ladder racks at a discounted cost.

If your organization really only utilizes 1 ladder and you need the convenience of becoming able to simply eliminate it with out climbing to the top of your vehicle, think about looking into what exactly is known as a “weekender” rack. This will need some drilling into your vehicle but if what you drive is meant particularly for your company, this should pose no actual dilemma. The ladder slides into the rack sleeve and a locking nut keeps it securely in place. When you live in an region that causes rust to exposed metals, it’s a wise selection to opt for stainless steel. Powder coat varieties won’t have the ability to hold up in rust inducing environments.

For a enterprise that uses numerous ladders, you will discover discount ladder racks out there able to hold the extra weight and cargo effortlessly. What exactly is known as “over the cab” racks are built to house a lot of ladders, lumber, different piping and PVC with out any additional effort. A double bar with a one hundred eighty degree bend is mounted over the cab with cross beams bearing the brunt of your load’s weight. You can find a number of distinct mounted versions depending upon the manufacturer, with bed mount and rail mount becoming just two obtainable for purchase. For those who have a camper shell or truck topper you also have the alternative of installing a numerous rack.

Sources for discount ladder racks can range from your nearby “mom and pop” hardware supplier to national chains to on line retailers. By researching diverse brands, Energy Machine their track record and even on line forums, you’ll be able to be sure to pick out the best manufacturer that can fit your needs perfectly. Purchasing employed or discount could very nicely save you a superb quantity of money and that’s often a fantastic thing when in business for your self.

Louisville Ladder L-2032-04 Sawhorse, Aluminum, 4 Foot

• External pinch resistant spreader braces, heavy gauge steel hinges
• Double-rivet step construction, slip resistant rubber feet
• Heavy duty gusset bracing, extra wide to use as stage or work stand
• Compact and easy to carry, ideal for drywalling, painting and carpentry

List Price: $ 208.99

Price: $ 117.00

Owning a home business that utilizes things like ladders, lumber, steel piping and other lengthy items that require to be hauled to numerous function web sites can be produced easier with the use of racks built specifically for that purpose. Even so, when in enterprise for your self, obtaining revenue to cover the price of items like this might be difficult. Discount ladder racks present a remedy for not just your home business but your wallet also. You’ll find certain features that should match up together with your certain wants as you’ll find different models readily available in the marketplace right now. By understanding what you are going to be hauling, it will need to be relatively effortless to decide on ladder racks at a discounted cost.

If your organization really only utilizes 1 ladder and you need the convenience of becoming able to simply eliminate it with out climbing to the top of your vehicle, think about looking into what exactly is known as a “weekender” rack. This will need some drilling into your vehicle but if what you drive is meant particularly for your company, this should pose no actual dilemma. The ladder slides into the rack sleeve and a locking nut keeps it securely in place. When you live in an region that causes rust to exposed metals, it’s a wise selection to opt for stainless steel. Powder coat varieties won’t have the ability to hold up in rust inducing environments.

For a enterprise that uses numerous ladders, you will discover discount ladder racks out there able to hold the extra weight and cargo effortlessly. What exactly is known as “over the cab” racks are built to house a lot of ladders, lumber, different piping and PVC with out any additional effort. A double bar with a one hundred eighty degree bend is mounted over the cab with cross beams bearing the brunt of your load’s weight. You can find a number of distinct mounted versions depending upon the manufacturer, with bed mount and rail mount becoming just two obtainable for purchase. For those who have a camper shell or truck topper you also have the alternative of installing a numerous rack.

Sources for discount ladder racks can range from your nearby “mom and pop” hardware supplier to national chains to on line retailers. By researching diverse brands, Energy Machine their track record and even on line forums, you’ll be able to be sure to pick out the best manufacturer that can fit your needs perfectly. Purchasing employed or discount could very nicely save you a superb quantity of money and that’s often a fantastic thing when in business for your self.

Louisville Ladder L-2032-04 Sawhorse, Aluminum, 4 Foot

• External pinch resistant spreader braces, heavy gauge steel hinges
• Double-rivet step construction, slip resistant rubber feet
• Heavy duty gusset bracing, extra wide to use as stage or work stand
• Compact and easy to carry, ideal for drywalling, painting and carpentry

List Price: $ 208.99

Price: $ 117.00

There are so many items around our homes that we do not always think about, but which can offer us great value if we take the time to really invest in them. One of the things that is definitely going to be important is to think about those more utilitarian items like step ladders. Obviously, if you need to reach something up high or change lights in your home or business, this is going to be a very important way to be able to do that, but you might be surprised by just how much you gain when you go this route if you are looking to cover the items that every home should have that are so often overlooked. By taking care of these details now, you can be better prepared for the unexpected. You might one day wish to renovate your home and, if you already have the tools you need to access high places you are going to have a lot less work to do getting everything you need. Extension ladders are another great choice and these are more typically used outside to do work such as painting your house or putting up Christmas lights. Obviously, if you have ever wanted to invest in step ladders that are going to suit your business or home needs, you need to know where to look for the best selection. These days there are more options than you might think.

Possibly one of the best things about getting items like this today is that you do have more choices in where you want to purchase your tools. There are obviously going to be plenty of well made step ladders out there from a variety of companies, but you should keep in mind that you are not limited to home improvement type stores in your area to get what you want. There are a lot more retailers on the web now that actually ship these so if you prefer something that you have been unable to find locally then you still have plenty of options. The real key here is to try to get what you want at a price you feel good about. That is basically what the web was designed for.

You should be able to find plenty of first hand reviews of various ladders out there, as well. This is a great way to learn about the quality levels up front so that you can decide if these step ladders are going to be what you really wanted. By researching ahead like this, you make it all a whole lot easier on yourself which is certainly a very good thing. These days you should be able to get free shipping, as well.

Werner W2208 250-Pound Duty Rating Wood Folding Access Ladder, 8-Foot

• Floor to ceiling height range 7-foot to 8-foot 9-inches
• Rough opening width 22-1/2-inch by 54-inch length
• Full wrap-around door hinge minimizes heat loss
• Quality door is ready for staining and pull string allows for ease of operation
• Counter-balance mechanism eliminates sag and springiness and every step is rodded for strength and durability

CENTURY ATTIC STAIRWAYS BET-89/S224P 8’9″ ATTIC STAIRWAY

List Price: $ 377.25

Price: $ 129.99

High CD rates alone are not enough, as venturing in CD requires more strategy and preparation than you think. It is true that having good CD rates definitely make the most of your returns. However, having several CD investment strategies is still highly recommended. Such a strategy, like CD laddering, provides great benefits for optimizing your investment returns. 

Fundamentals of CD Laddering 

In CD laddering, investors basically deposit their investments in a distributed fashion among CDs that have distinct gains and term durations. CD laddering is a mitigation strategy that enhances liquidity and instigates a periodic rate of return. Consequently, it can also restrain the risks of having to isolate your savings in long terms by taking advantage of the varying interest rates.

A carefully planned CD ladder will certainly pay off at different intervals. This only implies that the investor can have greater control over his multiple investments. He can actually anticipate when his return will arrive and make use of that as an advantage. Fluctuating interest rates are unavoidable during this era. If an investor applies CD laddering, he may take advantage of these fluctuations. For instance, if interest rates are escalating during one of the investor’s pay off time, then the investor may choose to reinvest into a CD with a much higher interest. Or, he may just want to let the savings rollover which in turn, creates a new and much better CD. If the investor wants to liquidate the CD, he may do so.

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Investment Earnings on an Interval Basis

One of the great features of CD laddering is the periodic term durations. Instead of having the usual one-time deposit for a very long duration, let us say 5 years, an investor has the option to distribute the total investment into 5 CDs with different maturities. For instance, a $ 100,000 deposit may be divided into five $ 20,000 deposits, each with different maturity dates starting from 1 year, up to 5 years. Every year, there will be a return and the investor will have a great flexibility on how he will reinvest the capital depending on the interest rate fluctuations.     

Various kinds of CDs ranging from standard to variable rate CDs can also be incorporated into the ladder strategy. In this case, the investor will accept additional risk while introducing a higher reward. Provisional CDs like market-index CDs can also be included in CD laddering.

One thing to note is that, reinvesting your principal from one CD into a fresh CD that has equal maturity date to your current longest duration CD will allow you to benefit on high investment rates while consistently receiving great returns. Another great thing with CD laddering is that investors have the liberty to customize their CD term durations; may it be annually, semiannually, monthly or quarterly, whichever he prefers.  

Certificate of deposit rates are at or near all time lows. Current rates are just averaging about 2.0% so far this year. A year ago you could find one-year certificate of deposit rate of up to 5.0%.

Low certificate of deposit rates are mainly due to the Federal Reserve Bank lowering the Federal Funds Rate (the interest rate which banks lend their funds deposited at the Federal Reserve to other banks usually overnight) to historic lows. The current Federal Funds Rate is targeted between 0% and 0.25%. Also contributing to the low deposit rates on certificate of deposits and savings accounts is the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). Banks are funding their reserves by participating in TARP so they have less of a need to lure depositors with those special high interest promotional CD rates.

Although there are banks and financial institutions that offer higher than average rates, they are few. The low rates shouldn’t deter one from investing in CDs as the current financial turmoil make CDs a safe investment. What else can offer your money a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation guarantee of up to 0,000?

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The best way to beat the low rates is not to invest in long term CD’s with low interest rates, but by CD laddering. Laddering CDs allows you take advantage of interest rates spread on a number of months or even years. If you notice, the high rates are offered on long term CDs. For example, First Command Bank is offering a rate of 3.93% for balance of ,000 on a 12 month CD and the APY is 4.00%. This is way above the average 2.00%.

This technique also provides the much needed liquidity which is very important in these difficult financial times. It also gives you a piece of mind as you don’t have to worry about when CD rates are going up or down as you’ll only be investing a portion of your savings.

CD laddering involves dividing your savings in to several “ladder rungs” and placing it in CDs each with progressive terms. Each CD is a rung. You decide how much you have to apportion each rung. First you have to determine how much you’ll be investing. You can set up a CD ladder for as long or as short as you like, but as an example let’s consider a three-year ladder with three rungs. Ideally, it’s best to keep a ladder short, that is, you could have a three, six and nine month terms but for this example let’s consider years.

If you have ,000, you can invest ,000 in a one-year CD, ,000 in a two-year CD and the remaining in a three-year CD.

After a year the magic starts, the one-year CD matures and each of the other CDs has one year less until maturity. In short, the two-year CD now matures in one-year; the three-year is two years from maturity. The money from the matured one-year CD is now invested again on a three-year CD. So what actually happens is, every year each rung in the ladder is vacated and filled. You never run out of rungs as it is cyclic in nature.

However take in account that CD laddering works best when you don’t have any emergency expenses. So before investing in CD laddering always apportion a separate emergency fund. CDs have penalties for early withdrawal that will cost you a lot.

Little Giant Revolution XE Ladder – 17′H – Frontgate

• Can be used in 24 unique configurations for multiple uses — it’s like having 24 ladders in one
• Rated to hold 300 lbs. on each side for a true 2-person ladder
• Adjusting is quick, easy, and safe with the Rock lock ™ system

liteWave ™ technology is used in military aircraft production, and is approximately 20% lighter than similar ladders. Can be used in 24 unique configurations for multiple uses — it’s like having 24 ladders in one. MAG4 ™ hinge locks into place with 4 pins for increased stability, and features magnetic palm buttons for holding tools. Rated to hold 300 lbs. on each side for a true 2-person ladder. Adjusting is quick, easy, and safe with the Rock lock ™ system. This Little Giant Revolution

Price:

Ladders are perhaps the most practical and useful way of working at heights. They are used by thousands of trades and purposes from clearing gutters to fitting satellite dishes but they do have a downside.

Ladder accidents are not uncommon and many people assume that using a ladder is dangerous. However, ladders are perfectly safe – if used properly – and while some people are looking at alternative methods of working at height – is there really an alternative to the humble ladder?

The Cherry Picker

The ‛Cherry Picker’ or moveable platform gets its name from perhaps its first use. While its great for trundling down an orchard to pick fruit it isn;t really a practical method of clearing a gutter or working on the roof.

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Cherry picker is not really a practical in most situations

Cherry pickers are very large and extremely expensive to purchase and run, they can also be highly dangerous as they can extend to vast heights and training and supervision needs to be provided for their use.

Scaffolding

A common sight in most cites; scaffolding and work platforms are essential for building maintenance. They provide a stable platform where workers can operate without fear of falling. However, scaffolding takes time to erect and is quite expensive as it is semi-permanent, designed to stay up for days and weeks rather than just a few hours which makes it impractical for quick rooftop installations.

Reaching devices

If Mohammed won’t come to the mountain…. reaching devices are often a simple method of attaching things at height of cleaning areas. Jet washing is now used by many window cleaners preventing the need for the operator to work at height whilst many tree surgeons have extendible tools useful for cropping small branches.

However, intricate work has to be done by human hand and any reaching tool is never going to be accurate. A jet washed window may be clean but its doubtful the window cleaner will be able to remove the smears.

There are a myriad of ways of working at height and all of them have there practicalities and disadvantages. Ladders are no different, however despite the numerous alternatives there is no better or practical method of working at height than the humble ladder.

Easy Pool Step with Outside Ladder for Aboveground Swimming Pools

• Adjustable for pools 48″-54″

EASY POOL STEP WITH LADDER

Economically priced entry system for above ground swimming pools meets all codes & entrapment regulations.

Exterior ladder swings up when the swimming pool is not in use

This rugged step with ladder entry system is all you need to enter and exit your pool if your above ground swimming pool does not have a deck.
The Easy Pool Step system features our rugged step that will fit any pool up to 54″ deep; and makes getting out of your pool easy and safe. Attached to the

List Price: $ 338.99

Price: $ 278.99

Any work from a height means safety issues which need to be addressed. Whether the workers are using simple step ladders, extension ladders, scaffold towers or any type of access equipment there are safety rules which need to be observed.

Even with significant improvements over recent years falls from height still remain the biggest cause for fatal and serious injuries in the construction industry. The HSE made an example on 10th March 2010 of a small builder regarding a lack of scaffolding safety.

The builder was fined after workers on a house extension were put at risk. Shane Homes Limited, of Hull was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £799 costs at Beverley Magistrates’ Court after using unsafe scaffolding. The court heard that during a routine inspection on a house extension HSE observed working on scaffolding that was unsafe and posed a risk of serious injury.

The findings of the court were that there was no edge protection provided and the access ladder was too short. An investigation showed that there was a risk of a fall of up to four metres for the employees who were working at a first floor extension. The scaffolding had no edge protection in place, and an access ladder was too short and not secured.

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The HSE Inspector, Geoff Clark said: “The scaffolding at the Shane Homes construction site was dangerous and people should not have been expected to use it.

“The law is quite clear and there is much guidance provided by the HSE and industry bodies on the required standards for working at height. We hope today’s prosecution serves as a reminder to companies using scaffolding that they need to ensure it is erected by trained and competent people, and that it is safe to use.”

Working at height requires a tight yet not difficult to perform safety plan. The first step is the pre-work assessment which should be carried out to evaluate which type of access equipment needs to be used, if of course any at all.

The scaffold towers, extension ladders, roof ladders, step ladders, scaffolding or whichever equipment has been elected for the job then needs to be inspected by a properly qualified person to ensure it is the correct condition to carry out the work.

The employees must be fit and trained properly for the work, and suitable attired with the right work wear and footwear. Employees who are taking certain medication may not be fit for the job so this must also be taken into account.

A risk assessment should also be carried out and the work area must be protected both for the workers and the public who may enter the area. The ground conditions must also be checked to make sure they are safe and suitable.

The HSE as mentioned have detailed safety documents which can be accessed on their website. Do not cut corners when using scaffold towers, roof ladders, extension ladders or even step ladders, it is not just a potential fine but also the potential damage to worker’s life you need to think about.

Crawford Ladder Bumpers #LG

• These bumpers are made of no-mar flexible foam to fit on most types of standard extension ladders.
• The unique reversible design doubles their lifetime use.

Fits most standard extension ladders. Made of a no-mar flexible foam. Helps prevent damage to wallcoverings, sheetrock, and plate glass. Also guards against dents and scratches on wood, aluminum, or vinyl siding.

List Price: $ 13.99

Price: $ 9.99