Tom Toll
Life Member
Moderator
Posts:916
 | | 10/09/2006 1:25 PM |
| I hope all remember how to set up their ladders to prevent ladder accidents.
A safety scenario: Ladder safety while in transport.
Our ladders are a necessary tool in order to complete claim assignments. How we carry our ladders is a vital safety concern also. I have seen adjusters put long ladders in the pick up bed with no red flags on the end and do not secure them from flying out of the bed while in transport. That scenario is an accident looking for a place to happen.
Always red flag your ladder tail if it extends further than 3 feet from your tailgate. Always secure the ladder in the bed so it will not lift out and fall on the road. There were several people killed last week when a firemans ladder came loose from his truck, and landed in the road. A car hit the ladder and large truck, causing loss of control of the vehicles, resulting in head on collisions and fatalities. There is not enough insurance coverage in the world to handle this type of scenario, plus having to live with yourself because your negligence caused the loss of life. The driver had the ladder secured with an old rope that obviously failed due to age and deterioration. Straps will also deteriorate with age. Both should be replaced at least once a year to prevent this possiblity.
I would highly recommend everyone use plastic coated steel cables so deterioration and strength would not be a factor. It may cost a little more, but the satisfaction of safety should be the reward. Ladder racks are not necessarily the answer, as you have to tie in the ladder there too, unless you have a metal mechanical safety device.
Common sense safety should always be applied, no matter what kind of hurry you are in.
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Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. | |
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R Estes
Posts:36
| | 10/10/2006 10:42 PM |
| Yes and I for one can honestly say, dont be in a hurry to "GET ON THE ROOF" and get the job done. Make sure you set your ladder up with at least 3' above the top rung past the roof line, and make sure when you step onto the roof, that you have a sure foot.
Its like Mr. Toll said....Common scense! | |
R. Estes | |
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Gordon B. Stockman
Posts:12
| | 10/11/2006 1:40 AM |
| | Never ever place the ladder on concrete of asphalt.Grass is preferable. After 15 years and a bunch of roofs, I fell off of a ladder for the 1st time in 15 years, because I got careless at the end of the day & put mine on concrete. I had "shake"tested it on the way up & it was fine. I did my roof measurements,photos & diagram. I placed one foot on it to see if it was sturdy, which it appeared to be. As soon as my 2nd foot went on the ladder,it slipped from under me. I fell off of a 9' roof, flat onto concrete & cracked my head & elbow. That was 2 days before Thanksgiving.I was more fortunate than some & only ended up with a cantelope sized elbow with 3 stiches, but I may not be so lucky next time. I could have cracked my skull.It was a real wake up call, which I definitely have heeded since.Hopefully everyone will put their safety first, because no amount of money in the world can replace our health & well being. STAY SAFE !!! | | | |
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R Estes
Posts:36
| | 10/11/2006 11:04 AM |
| | Amen Gordon! [b] [/b] | |
R. Estes | |
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Bill Roberts
Posts:8
| | 10/11/2006 2:28 PM |
| | I would add to utilize the same routine each and every time that you secure your ladder after use. On a recent event in MN, I allowed myself to get distracted not once, but several times by the Insured and did not secure my 24' ladder on the top of my van. Fortunately, I was able to catch it each time, but not before driving down the road for some distance. Routine is so important to me in the things that are important..if that makes sense! I make sure that if once down from the roof, I will either immediatley put my ladder back up or lay it down in the grass so that it does not blow over or give someone small a chance to climb. | | | |
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Darryl Martin
Hammond, LA
Posts:5
| | 10/11/2006 4:52 PM |
| | If anyone is interested I have some ladder safety info I use during training. Send me email requesting same and I'll return. Many ladders slip because the base is too far from the house. | | | |
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Mike Carli
Downingtown, PA
Posts:12
| | 10/15/2006 10:40 PM |
| Good discussion.
I would also recommend using a tie off on the gutter spike to prevent the ladder from falling over. I used a flexible tie purchased at Home Depot to tie my ladder off every time when possible. They come two to a pack and are about 24" long. | | | |
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Bob Harvey
Gold Member
California, Central Coast
Posts:388
| | 10/15/2006 11:19 PM |
| | Always good to bring up this topic, to keep it fresh. Those interested should also check out this thread from earlier this year: http://www.catadjuster.org/forum/tm.asp?m=22062 Lots of good info, if that link doesn't work for you, do a search using the words "ladder safety" on the forum archive. | | | |
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David Houtz
Adjuster
Posts:42
| | 10/21/2006 7:51 AM |
| | I have the feet of my two ladders taped so that the spikes of the feet are pointing down. This is to make be alot smarter when there is no access to the roof from the dirt side. As I would need to cut the tpae to access the rubber feet. | | | |
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Tom Toll
Life Member
Moderator
Posts:916
| | 10/21/2006 3:24 PM |
| Another point: Always walk to the structure with the ladder held horizontal to the ground surface. Upon reaching the point you wish to set up the ladder, look up to make sure there are no power lines in the area or lifting track of your ladder being placed on the structure.
I had a friend, years ago that did not do this and upon raising his ladder, it hit an electrical line that was bare. Unfortunately, he did not survive the electrical shock. Wires are insulated, but objects near wiring can rub the insulation off, unbeknownst to an observer. Use your common sense, as what can happen will happen if you are not observant and conscious of your surroundings.
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Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. | |
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