Take your time, be cautious, and don’t hesitate to seek professional help if needed. Below are some guidelines to ensure you clean your gutters safely.  

• Use a sturdy ladder: Choose a ladder which is in good condition, stable, and tall enough to reach the gutters comfortably. Ensure the ladder is placed on level ground – use leg levelers or stabilisers if needed. 
• Use a safety harness or a buddy system: Consider using a safety harness attached to a sturdy anchor point. Alternatively, have a friend or family member assist you by stabilising the ladder and providing extra support. 
• Use the right tools: Scooping out the leafy debris seems to be the best overall method for cleaning out gutters. Use a sturdy, lightweight plastic scoop or a small garden trowel to remove debris from the gutters. Avoid using sharp or metal tools that could damage the gutters or present a hazard. 
• Be wary of power lines: Pay attention to overhead power lines when using a ladder or any long tools. Maintain a safe distance. 

• Take breaks and stay hydrated: Take breaks as needed to avoid fatigue and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Cleaning gutters is a physically demanding task. 
• Dispose of debris properly: When removing debris from the gutters, have a bucket nearby to collect it. Avoid throwing debris directly onto the ground, this can create hazards or clog drains. 
• Avoid working in adverse weather conditions: Wait for favourable weather conditions to ensure stability and good visibility. 
• Consider hiring a professional: If you’re uncomfortable or unable to safely clean your gutters, it’s best to hire a professional gutter cleaning service. They have the expertise and equipment to complete the task safely and efficiently. 
• Use the garden hose safely: Use a garden hose with a pistol-grip trigger spray nozzle. This type of spray nozzle allows you to adjust the water pressure with the use of just one hand. A pistol-grip trigger spray nozzle can be easily hung over the front edge of the gutter while moving the ladder or while using a gutter scoop. 

• Wear Personal Protective Equipment: Gloves can help protect hands against dirty, rotting leaf debris that often contains bird, pigeon and squirrel droppings that are ridden with bacteria. They can also prevent painful cuts from the torn metal shards of an old, ragged gutter. Thick, suede glove material is recommended. Safety goggles or glasses can prevent eye injuries from falling debris. If walking on the roof is necessary to perform gutter cleaning, it is good to use rubber-soled shoes. Rubber soles tend to adhere best and prevent slip and fall incidents. It’s also a good idea to wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to protect your skin. 

iProtectU provides workplace inspection forms and allows a user to create, edit and document a risk assessment regarding cleaning gutters. 

iProtectU brings together the key resources and knowledge of three companies specialising in EHS software development, health and safety, business intelligence and data analytics. 

Our vision is to provide fully integrated, cost effective and simple to use health and safety software tools that enable our clients to engage their entire team.