Dave Pursel Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 The worst thing that can happen while using a ladder is to be on the top ring of a 32 footer and have it start to fall leaving you stranded up the tree. As luck had it, I was able to hook it with my foot before it went to the ground. I know I would have been up the tree for a while because there's no way my 64 year old wife could have put it back up for me........ PS. I bought a harness at a garage sale this summer. But that lift is starting to sound worth it at my age. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOR Staff Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 Whenever I need to work up on the roof, I also make sure I let people know I am going to be up there (like the neighbors), and bring my cell phone. That way, if I don't check in, or if something happens while I am up there I can count on the neighbors at least looking for my body Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Don Gillespie Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 Most house hold ladders are rated for 250 pounds they are called a type 2 ladder, the heavey duty construction ladders (which I have around 30 of them) are rated higher, when you go from the ladder to the roof most people do not extend the ladder high enough, always extend the ladder a couple of rungs higher than you normally would this makes getting up onto the roof easier, and getting down easier, always and I mean always have some one down on the ground holding the ladder when you up or down, the last thing we need to read about is some one falling off a ladder because they we're careless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Czerwinski Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 (edited) Wow! What a great topic about a strong emotion we all have flashed through and will continue in the future. The emotion of wondering what we are doing in this hobby. For me - my wife with our 6 month old baby doesn't appreciate my time away and I catch hell many nights, I also freak out about the ladder heights!, and I also stress a lot about making deadlines or when the show has a missing part when people are watching) I often need to stop and check myself about my main goal is to have fun an enjoyment. The payoff does come when people watch the finished product... But on ladders: The safety advice here is great. I agree with Don that you need to know your ladder for sure -- I weigh 220lbs and found that many ladders at the local big boxes aren't even rated to my weight level!!! Add tools an equipment and I'm definitely overweight!I had a co-worker fall off a ladder at 13' and broke his hip and has forever changed his walking style. His doctors said falls at 10ft begin to enter in a zone of serious injury an exponentially increase towards the possibility of death as higher levels are reached. This runs through my mind EVERY time I step on the ladder.Plus, I am afraid of heights and my new home goes almost up to almost 40' as you can see here. I bought a 28 foot ladder to avoid the temptation to go higher. Also this is my first home were my display is outdoors and get a daily appreciation for you folks in the hard weather regions! I didn't even think about how hard ladder climbing would be for you. Wow. Careful please!!!The good news about the ladder climbing is that at least I am getting a good workout. (I install everything solo too.) I can't imagine how many times I climbed the ladder by the end of the day, but my body lets me know for a couple of days after that....Just wondering; I'd like to know about any hints/tricks you guys use for holding tools, zip-ties, etc. that works for you on a ladder but doesn't get in the way of safe balance and climbing. I think I am doing too many one-handed climbs..... Edited October 23, 2012 by Jay Czerwinski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Maue Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 (edited) Check the load capacity. I don't remember right off the top of my head, but it usually is about 500 lbs.Now as far as ladder safety, this is what OSHA says.http://www.osha.gov/..._ladder_qc.htmlIn my opinion, if your ladder is not the right tool (Height, weight cap.) for the job, buy or rent a different one that will be the right one. If memory serves, a fall from ~12 ft, can be fatal.Careful. Some ladders have a load limit as low as 200 lbs. maybe even less. Bottom line, take Ron's suggestion and verify the limit.Edit: I missed Don's post above. Way more knowledgeable than me. Edited October 23, 2012 by Aaron Maue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 According to an article in Popular Mechanics, these are the top 5 most dangerous tools:5. Circular Saw;4. Chain Saw, at ~32,000 injuries per year;3. Nail Gun, at ~42,000 injuries per year;2. Table Saw, at ~60,000 recorded injuries each year;1. Ladder, at ~140,000 injuries per year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts