Ladders?

archangel

archangel

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Can you still use ladders? or must you have scaffolding when working at a height....:confused:
 
How safe do you feel up a ladder?

My window cleaner just uses a ladder

The chap from the housing trust just used a ladder when he was fixing my guttering
 
archangel said:
Can you still use ladders? or must you have scaffolding when working at a height....:confused:
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If you're working on your own property you can scale heights using just your Spidey web if you so choose.
 
What are you planning on doing up a ladder?
Popping up with a paint brush is fine, using a large breaker not advisable unless anchored and harnessed
 
I am happy with ladder but neignbour reckons i need a platform to adhere to health and safety.....
 
Not sure that H&S applies to domestic DIY.
 
H&S doesn't apply to domestic diy, common sense does. Do you feel safe on a ladder doing what ever the task is? If so carry on.
 
The guy from Sky used a ladder but first drilled the wall about five foot up put in an eyebolt and tethered his ladder to the house!
I asked why, company H&S policy for lone workers.
 
Domestic, you can do whatever you want (as long as you aren't putting the Public at risk)
 
Domestic, you can do whatever you want (as long as you aren't putting the Public at risk)

As above then go to work and see someone doing the same and give them a bo*****ing, report a near miss and have an investigation then counselling or disciplinary
 
At work, our guys can use ladders up to 6m, beyond that, scaffold is required.
You can do what you like at home, as long as it's only you that gets hurt if you fall.
 
Bobsyeruncle said:
At work, our guys can use ladders up to 6m, beyond that, scaffold is required.
You can do what you like at home, as long as it's only you that gets hurt if you fall.
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IIRC you are supposed to maintain 3 points of contact when on a ladder so just 1 hand free to do the job?
 
Thanks guys and girls.....I am happy on a ladder but just in case I have decided on hiring a firm to do the job....
 
What is the job?


For example, a couple of years ago I cleaned, sanded and painted under the eves and rafter ends of a friend's house (as a favour). I used a ladder.

For other, more physical or demanding repairs though, scaffolding is the way to go.
 
I will not work on ladders at all anymore and you havemade the right choice getting a firm in for that job.
I am a big fan of hire expirts to take the risk.
 
To be pedantic...

A ladder is a means of access NOT a working platform ;)
 
mrgubby said:
To be pedantic...

A ladder is a means of access NOT a working platform ;)
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Not necessarily. Otherwise I would have had to surround the whole house (semi detached) on three sides with scaffolding just for a painting job, which would have been complete overkill.

It depends on the job really, and what you're comfortable doing. Some people don't even feel comfortable indoors on a little step ladder, which is fair enough. Horses for courses and all that.
 
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Tie ladder of at the top and have someone foot the ladder, don't lean or stretch just so you can complete the job, just move the ladder over.

Hope it works out for you.
 
nog said:
IIRC you are supposed to maintain 3 points of contact when on a ladder so just 1 hand free to do the job?
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When climbing the ladder you should always maintain 3 points of contact but once in position with both feet on the same rung, you can lean flat against the ladder and have both hands free.

Incidentally, when positioning a ladder, to make sure it's at the correct angle, stand at the bottom (as though you are about to get on the ladder) with your toes against the ladder and your arms straight out in front. If the angle is correct, your hands should be touching the ladder. Hands through ladder = too steep (fall backwards = hello A&E!) and hands not reaching ladder = too shallow (strain on ladder = ladder failure or ladder slip = hello A&E!). :)
 
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I know we often scoff at H&S and I used to as well but something that woke me up about this is that about 50% of A&E attendances from construction accidents are people falling from ladders. Whether this statistic is 100% accurate or not, it does indicate how dangerous ladders are. Yes, I've had a scare and I bet I'm not the only one. Always worth a check on the rules in my opinion and some great advice above.
 
Almost forgot, wear footwear with decent heels.

(9" stilettos work fabulously. :D)

Seriously though, boots with a good heel are best because the heel will stop your foot slipping off the rung and through the ladder (hello A&E!) and the support offered by a boot will help protect your ankles if you have to jump off from height (I like to plan my 'emergency exit' landing spot (preferably somewhere even and/or soft like soil) each time I move the ladder to a new position and try to avoid placing it directly above 'backbreakers' (fencing/walls/handrails etc).

Stiff soles will improve comfort if standing on the ladder for some time but make sure you can still feel the rungs under your feet (I have a pair of Kayland contact1000 walking Boots which are great for this).

O, use ladder hooks to hold buckets etc when you're working, and putting the tools/opened paint tin & brushes you need with you in a bucket makes carrying & accessing them easier. (y)

Amen.
 
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ZoneV said:
Incidentally, when positioning a ladder, to make sure it's at the correct angle, stand at the bottom (as though you are about to get on the ladder) with your toes against the ladder and your arms straight out in front. If the angle is correct, your hands should be touching the ladder. Hands through ladder = too steep (fall backwards = hello A&E!) and hands not reaching ladder = too shallow (strain on ladder = ladder failure or ladder slip = hello A&E!). :)
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not being a ladder person or ever being in a trade that uses ladders this advice might seem obvious to some is something iv'e never heard before and i will definitely be using it the next time i have to clamber up a ladder
cheers :)

you see, you do learn something new every day :)
 
ZoneV said:
When climbing the ladder you should always maintain 3 points of contact but once in position with both feet on the same rung, you can lean flat against the ladder and have both hands free.
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To do absolutley eff all except scratch your balls or arse, not really the best position to be in when working at height
 
Gary Coyle said:
To do absolutley eff all except scratch your balls or arse, not really the best position to be in when working at height
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Sure, but it's ok for say, wringing out a wet cloth for example. No need to descend just to do that. As long as you stay flat against the ladder, it's fine.
 
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Common sense as to whether you're happy up there and can do the job safely. I worked at the top of ladders for 16+ years with drills, spanners, screwdrivers and all sorts of other tools, never injured myself or anybody else.

I replaced a couple of ridge tiles not long ago on my house using my own ladders/roof ladder and did the job in a couple of hours.
My neighbours (not capable) got somebody in last week to do the same, one day to build the scaffolding, one day working, four days off due to Gwendolyn/Henry and they're still not back on site yet. H&S is important but the rules make nearly every job into a major undertaking and it's one of the reasons I gave up the business.
 
ZoneV said:
Sure, but it's ok for say, wringing out a wet cloth for example. No need to descend just to do that. As long as you stay flat against the ladder, it's fine.
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Its fine staying laid flat against the ladders wringing out a cloth but its what you did or attempted to do in getting the cloth wet which is of concern, why would anyone go up a ladder to wring out a wet cloth
 
Gary Coyle said:
Its fine staying laid flat against the ladders wringing out a cloth but its what you did or attempted to do in getting the cloth wet which is of concern, why would anyone go up a ladder to wring out a wet cloth
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Why would it concern you, Gary? :thinking: You might have a bucket of water, on a hook, with a cloth in it. In case you might need to wipe something quickly, like paint off a window frame when cutting-in for example. Or you might be cleaning a surface before painting it...
 
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ZoneV said:
Why would it concern you, Gary? :thinking: You might have a bucket of water, on a hook, with a cloth in it. In case you might need to wipe something quickly, like paint off a window frame when cutting-in for example. Or you might be cleaning a surface before painting it...
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It doesnt concern me like you may think, if an idiot wants to put himself at risk then thats fine by me, im not so sure his wife and kids would be too happy looking after a cripple for the next 40 years though, please dont tell me it doesnt happen because it does and it does happen close to home, its not something which happens to someone else
 
Gary Coyle said:
It doesnt concern me like you may think, if an idiot wants to put himself at risk then thats fine by me, im not so sure his wife and kids would be too happy looking after a cripple for the next 40 years though, please dont tell me it doesnt happen because it does and it does happen close to home, its not something which happens to someone else
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I agree but nothing I have said is dangerous. Aren't you over-reacting just a little?
 
ZoneV said:
I agree but nothing I have said is dangerous. Aren't you over-reacting just a little?
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You need to read the last sentence of my last post again, but i do see how you might think its an over reaction.
 
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I knew a thread about ladders would end up going all rung :D
 
BruceMo said:
I knew a thread about ladders would end up going all rung :D
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Groan...

Go and sit in the corner you, and think about what you did :bat:
 
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