What is an Uneven Ground?
In almost all kinds of structures or buildings, the ground usually started uneven or not uniformed. This is because it is the natural surface or appearance of the Earth. When one visits a secluded or untouched place or area in a town where there are only few occupants, one can notice that some of its uninhabited areas have uneven ground. When climbing a mountain, one can easily notice that the ranges and the pathway towards the top of the mountain is also uneven. Another example is when buying a house; the lot offered for sale is made up of soil with uneven areas just ready to be cemented. It is a natural occurrence of the Earth.
For this reason, many tools and machines have been invented and used over time to level uneven ground, this is to make the area look proper, cleaner and of course, to ensure stability of the structure that will be built on it. As a matter of fact, one can do simple procedures to level uneven ground at home, for instance, in a lawn. One will only need tools like a stake which is about one foot tall, string, hammer, shovel, water roller and weight. When leveling your own lawn, you must start by cleaning it removing dried leaves, big rocks and other trash accumulated over time.
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After cleaning the lawn, use the stake and tie the string on to it up to the level that you want your lawn to reach. This string line will serve as a guide on up to what point the soil must be uniform. Using the shovel, dig into the ground to replenish and change the dried soil into new ones then flatten the soil using water roller and weight. Often, this area of the house is planted with different kinds of plants and trees to make it look attractive. Some parts may also be cemented and furniture like chairs and tables can be placed on it where people may gather for an occasion.
Dangers when using ladders on uneven ground
Safety is always a must when using a ladder. Some encounter accidents when using it because upon reaching the topmost part, they either become out of balance or slipped a step, while some are naturally afraid of heights but are forced to use it. Hence, it is important to take necessary precautions when using it especially on uneven ground.
Some of the dangers when using the ladder on uneven ground could be that the ladder itself may fall and everything else that comes with it also falls. This is because the built and measurement of a ladder is accurate for leveled ground. It is an A-shaped tool and needs to be placed on solid and concrete ground. However, this does not mean that it can never be used on uneven ground. It still can be used. To ensure safety, it would be advisable to ask for assistance by having someone hold the rails of the ladder as one goes up. When it is impossible to seek assistance, it is better to make sure that the bottom part of the ladder is placed firmly, if possible buried on the ground, to ensure is stability.
Another danger of using a ladder on uneven ground is that it moves or wiggles easily which triggers being out of balance and falling. Since it is place on an uneven level, it tends to be shaky and may give one the tendency to give in or go along as it moves because it is the only platform one stands on at a height. To the point that, due to gravity, even if one is good in balancing, they might still fall because gravity pulls them through.
One more danger of using a ladder on uneven ground is that it may damage the ladder itself and injure the person who falls with it. It can damage the ladder to the point that the force to make it fall can break the steps or railings. If the ladder is made of wood, especially, it can easily break. But what is more unfortunate is when the person using it falls on the ladder which cause bruises or scratches upon hitting the ground.
How to use a ladder on uneven ground safely
First step to safety in everything is using the right materials along with the proper gears while working on an activity. When using a ladder, safety is of utmost importance because one can hurt themselves or even cause death when unfortunate events happen, especially when using the ladder on an uneven ground.
To ensure safety, make sure that the spreaders are firmly attached to the ground. As much as possible, its bottom part must be buried to guarantee stability. The four feet or stand of the ladder must be in stable contact on the ground and testing its immovability prior to using it. Afterwards, slowly climb up the ladder making sure that one carefully watches each step and has a good grip on the railings.
Upon reaching the top step, it is better to remain in a standing position rather than sitting on the ladder so that one can steadily balance himself. Do not be too relaxed in using the ladder because awareness as to one’s balance must always be a priority. Also, make sure to only use the front part of the ladder to climb and not the back side because it defeats the purpose of its use.
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It is also important to keep one side of your hips steadily leaning on the railings to make sure you keep your attachment solid. It will also be advisable to use a signage below the ladder printed in yellow to warn passersby that the ladder is being used.
If one is using a toolbox while working on top of the ladder, it will be safer to place the toolbox on a leveled area and one where one can easily grab the tools with less effort and without losing balance.
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