Author Archives: birdladder

Van Locks Can Help Save Tools, Valuable Operating Equipment, and Your Business

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image of Slick Lock Van Security Locks

Slick Lock Van Security Locks

If you’re the owner of a fleet, a handful, or even just one service vehicle, you’re being targeted. News reports reveal every day that the number of service vehicles that are broken into by thieves is increasing, and it’s costing business owners time, money, and, in some cases, even their businesses.

Last summer, for example, police in the Long Beach, CA area arrested eleven suspects and were searching for four more that were part of an elaborate ring of thieves that targeted work vans. The criminal organization was allegedly responsible for stealing work vans from a variety of service professions including plumbers, painters, landscapers, and construction workers. They stole thousands of dollars of tools and professional equipment, but they didn’t stop there. This gang of thieves was also selling the stolen vans, and in some cases, selling them to chop shops for scrap metal. Police were able to recover 25 of the stolen work vehicles, but many more were missing. Continue reading →

Ladder Mitts: A Simple Solution for Some Common Problems

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image of ladder mitts

Ladder mitts keep your ladder from slipping and prevent damage to support surfaces

Climbing a ladder propped against the side of a customer’s home or building is bad enough. Angry birds, irate yellowjackets and strong breezes are only a few of the normal hazards you face.

A screeching building owner is something you do not need. You can protect your sanity and a building’s siding when you use a set of ladder mitts from Werner’s. Not only do they keep a ladder from denting or scratching siding, they also prevent the ladder’s sliding out of position.

We have all seen a cartoon or comedy skit involving a character riding a ladder to the ground as it slides down the side of a house. In real life, you could do the same thing, windmilling your arms, making scary faces and screaming as you get near the ground.

What is funny in a cartoon is not that amusing in real life. Gravity is not our friend. A colorful pair of ladder mitts adds a hint of style to an extension ladder. They can also save the day for you. Continue reading →

Choosing Sturdy Step Ladders For Safer Workplaces

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300 lb. rated Werner Aluminum Step Ladder

Werner Aluminum Step Ladder

Aluminum step ladders are vital tools in many different workplaces. Every day, millions rely on step ladders for routine tasks. The right ladder can make all the difference when it comes to workplace safety. Investing in quality equipment can ultimately save organizations quite a bit of money in the long run. Accidents are costly and can lower productivity and profit margins. In addition, quality equipment is important for maintaining a loyal, productive employee base.

Step ladders are among the most versatile ladders in wide usage. Though single-sided step ladders are smaller, these ladders are incredibly handy in a variety of situations. One never knows exactly who will end up using a step ladder. To account for any possibility, consider investing in units with generous maximum weight ratings. For surefire safety assurance, never purchase a ladder with less than a 300 pound maximum weight rating. Continue reading →

Using a Construction Trash Chute is Safer and Saves Time

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A risky part of the construction industry is the demolition of the old that makes way for the new. There are multiple hazards in renovating old buildings that are not as inherent for new construction. Both have their hazards, but tearing out old materials in partial and full remodeling jobs has hazards in the debris produced during the demolition phase.

Construction Site Cleanup

For a safe workplace, it is a good idea to assign personnel to continually gather and remove debris from active work areas. As demolition debris collects, the hazards of workers tripping, falling and being cut by sharp debris increases. Any floor above the first floor involves using stairs or service elevators for debris removal unless a construction trash chute is installed. Continue reading →

Using an Aluminum Pump Jack to Increase Safety in the Workplace

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Making sure that you have the right type of equipment to complete the job is an essential step in any type of workplace repair or household do-it-yourself task. This remains true, whether you are attempting to put down a new layer of paint, clean the exterior of your home, replace your carpets, or perform masonry jobs. Using tools can help ensure that your improvement project is completed in a timely and safe manner.

One of the most essential tools in completing your repair job is the aluminum pump jack. This type of tool works in a manner very similar to a car jack. You are able to use a manual lever, a toothed rod, and a ratchet mechanism. In order to use the device, you will be required to move the lever up the rod, and it will lock after each tooth. Each tool that is used on a scaffold must be advanced at the same rate. After you reach the height that you require, you will double lock the braces. This in turn will provide the type of grip that will prevent the ratchet from sliding and will help lessen the chances of your falling. Continue reading →

Solving A Top Floor Renovation Headache

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We’ve all been there, renovating an upper level floor, and being faced with the dilemma. Do we have a guy walk all the construction trash down four flights of stairs to the dumpster we rented, or toss it out the window? Well if one of my guys goes up and down stairs all day long, we lose a worker up here! On the other hand, if you are like a lot of contractors, you only have one or two guys on the job to begin with, that’s lost time for doing the job. Tossing stuff out the window could hit someone walking on the street below. Then all of your profit on this job goes into a lawsuit. Continue reading →

How To Work Safely At Heights

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Having the proper tools is essential to completing jobs on a timely and efficient basis. By understanding the different options that are available, construction company owners and managers can be sure that their employees in the field are fully equipped for the largest or smallest project. Building and renovation jobs often require that employees need to complete their work at heights, and this can present a serious hazard. Today’s construction equipment is designed to address a wide range of issues. Products are often required to be installed in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) rules and regulations. Continue reading →

Construction Pump Jack Braces

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Construction Pump Jack Braces

Support Brace

There are two types of braces for aluminum pump jack scaffolding: The rigid brace and the folding brace. In the rigid brace, the piece resting against the roof does not swivel, allowing it to provide unmoving support. In the folding brace, there are two separate supports, each of which can swivel. This allows it to provide support against two planes with differing angles. There are advantages to both, and generally we recommend that you own both styles. Each scaffold will usually need both types, as described below. Continue reading →

Aluminum Pump Jacks Offer Benefits of Efficiency

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pump-jackUsing aluminum pump jack scaffolding is one of the most efficient ways to do any type of work on a house. Jobs where scaffolding is essential include painting, carpentry, masonry and exterior cleaning.

Be sure to adhere to all OSHA rules for erecting pump jack scaffolding, using equipment with two positive gripping mechanisms for a secure grip. Do not try to improvise scaffold platforms. Workbenches and other items not intended for the purpose should not be used.
Continue reading →