seeking extension ladder safety advice - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

alkaloid · 10-18-2003, 09:49 PM

I just bought a 23' extension ladder for hanging the christmas lights around the house. I read that 65,000 people ends up in the emergency room from falling off the ladder each year. I'm pretty nervous. I would appreciate any tips or advice.

Thanks

Ashton · 10-19-2003, 04:54 AM

Step 1, Buy a tool belt..... 'A place for everything and everything in it's place' means you won't be climbing the ladder while holding a hammer, nails.... and a string of lights at the same time......

Step 2, Plan ahead, know what you want to do BEFORE you climb the ladder........

Step 3, Always make sure the ladder has a level non slippery footing....

Step 4, Never reach out farther than feels safe 'just because it sucks to go all the way back down to move the ladder a few inches' It's a long way down.......

Step 4, Take your time, No amount of pretty lights is worth breaking a leg, or worse...... your family want's you there for Christmas more than pretty lights

Take Care & Be Safe!

numist · 10-19-2003, 07:39 AM

If you are feeling very paranoid, get yourself a safety harness, tie yourself to the ladder. Do this only after youve secured the ladder to your house so that it isnt going anwhere either though.

Always keep your center of balance over the ladder, leaning back is a no-no if your center of balance goes withint a foot or half a foot from the base of the ladder, and leaning to either side should be restricted the higher you go.

Just keep your head on straight and have yourself a plan, and the big thing from Ashton (other than the tool belt, which is also excellent advice) is "never reach further than feels safe just because it would suck to move the ladder the inch or so". Move the damn ladder an inch, it takes a minute of effort, and could save a lot more in the end.

homerhop · 10-20-2003, 12:40 AM

Make sure someone is holding the bottom of it while you go up to secure it at the top.
Otherwise you could end up like this

onetime2 · 10-20-2003, 03:59 AM

First read the instructions that should have come with the ladder. Pay particular attention to the angle you create between the ground, the ladder, and the house. You can also brace the bottom with boards pounded into the ground if you don't have someone to hold the bottom for you. Do not climb onto the top three rungs of the ladder. There is also a minimum amount of overlap for extension ladders (again read instructions) so that too much pressure isn't brought to bear on the middle of the ladder as you climb it.

Be safe.

--Paul

jbrooks544 · 10-20-2003, 07:59 AM

maybe buy an extension Ladder Stabilizer and the rubber covers. This gives the top of the ladder extra support and protects the side of your house.

Avoid too steep an angle or too shallow an angle when setting it up. To shallow and the feet can kick out. Too steep and it can tip backwards. If slight side slope to ground then I put uphill foot with spikey toes in ground and other, lower foot flat to help level. More of a slope and you need to either dig out high side or build up lower. 23' ladder isn't all that tall. I don't go to roof of 2 floor house on less than 32' ladder. too rickety otherwise. Learn how to lift and carry from side of ladder with ladder vertical - one arm down and one up high - very easy. Obvious, but don't touch overhead wires when walking with it that way - ZOT! Don't reach. Don't hold sides of ladder with hands - hold rungs with hands - If your foot slipped you can't hold on to save yourself to sides. Always have at least one hand firmly on a rung - that way if feet slip then you can catch yourself. When in doubt, put a large stake just behind bottom rung to prevent kickout and maybe tie off the top too.

Biggest tip.... don't fall.

alkaloid · 10-20-2003, 08:57 AM

Ashton, Numist, homerhop, onetime2, jbrooks544, thank you very much for your inputs. I really appreciate it.

Ashton,
I will definitely get a tool belt before I get up there. Thanks for the tip. And I won't take shortcuts and keep things safe.

Numist,
I will consider getting the harness, but my wife will probably laugh at me. She definitely wants to up the life insurance before I go on it.

Thanks about bringing up center of gravity concern. I will keep it in mind.

homerhop,
Is this your leg in the picture? If it is, I hope you have recovered completely from it. This is a very compelling visual reminder to be careful.

onetime2,
I will definitely read the instruction carefully. I will have my wife hold the ladder at the bottom but maybe I should think about using that board stopper idea.

jbrooks544
Thank you for your tips. I was thinking about getting the ladder stablizer, too. I would like to tie the ladder at the top but I cannot see anything I can attach it to.

Thanks again everyone,
-alkaloid

homerhop · 10-20-2003, 09:12 AM

yup, that is me.
Was just getting ready to do a handrail on a storage floor in a factory, and the ladder went from under me.
Lost the use of one ankle joint, and 3 ops later have a limp and another 2 ops to go.
On the bright side........NURSES!!!!!

splck · 10-21-2003, 04:30 AM

You could opt for one of these.

Liquor Dealer · 10-22-2003, 07:43 AM

Don't ever use an aluminum extension ladder.

Always make sure that the bottom is secure - most ladder accidents happen when you cause the bottom of the ladder to move.

Never ever borrow a ladder - borrowed ladders will kill you.

Don't overreach the ladder - get down and move it if you have to reach any farther than what is easilly accesible.

alkaloid · 10-27-2003, 07:38 AM

I tried climbing my aluminum extension ladder yesterday and didn't work out well. I was pretty scared. I didn't go above 8 ft or so. I'm a wimp. The whole thing bends significantly when it is fully extended.

Maybe I should get a fiberglass ladder instead.

Liquor Dealer, why do you say never to use aluminum extension ladder?

Liquor Dealer · 10-27-2003, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by alkaloid
I tried climbing my aluminum extension ladder yesterday and didn't work out well. I was pretty scared. I didn't go above 8 ft or so. I'm a wimp. The whole thing bends significantly when it is fully extended.

Maybe I should get a fiberglass ladder instead.

Liquor Dealer, why do you say never to use aluminum extension ladder?

I believe that you just answered that question better than I could put it in writing - Read what you wrote.

PS: As far as fiberglass - it doesn't conduct electricity - be very very careful with aluminum!

splck · 10-27-2003, 06:20 PM

Aluminum ladders work fine if you buy the correct class of ladder. Most of the ladders you see for sale at hardware stores are grade 3 and for light duty home use. If you want a ladder that doesn’t bend or wiggle, buy a higher-class ladder. Get a grade 1 ladder if you don't like falling.
Fiberglass ladders are light, sturdy, non-conductive, but quite expensive.
Wood extension ladders are great if you can find them. Around here they are quite popular. They use aluminum rungs to keep the weight down. They're non-conductive, sturdier than aluminum, same weight as fiberglass and about half the price.

Here's a site of a local ladder maker.

alkaloid · 10-28-2003, 06:14 AM

cool thanks. I think I'll go buy fiberglass ladder since they don't have wooden ones at the store. I also need taller ladder....

10-18-2003, 09:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
alkaloid Dead Inside Location: East Coast, USA	seeking extension ladder safety advice I just bought a 23' extension ladder for hanging the christmas lights around the house. I read that 65,000 people ends up in the emergency room from falling off the ladder each year. I'm pretty nervous. I would appreciate any tips or advice. Thanks

10-20-2003, 12:40 AM	#4 (permalink)
homerhop Insane Location: ÉIRE	Make sure someone is holding the bottom of it while you go up to secure it at the top. Otherwise you could end up like this __________________ its evolution baby Last edited by homerhop; 10-20-2003 at 12:44 AM..

10-20-2003, 03:59 AM	#5 (permalink)
onetime2 Junkie Location: NJ	First read the instructions that should have come with the ladder. Pay particular attention to the angle you create between the ground, the ladder, and the house. You can also brace the bottom with boards pounded into the ground if you don't have someone to hold the bottom for you. Do not climb onto the top three rungs of the ladder. There is also a minimum amount of overlap for extension ladders (again read instructions) so that too much pressure isn't brought to bear on the middle of the ladder as you climb it. Be safe. --Paul __________________ Strive to be more curious than ignorant.

10-20-2003, 09:12 AM	#8 (permalink)
homerhop Insane Location: ÉIRE	yup, that is me. Was just getting ready to do a handrail on a storage floor in a factory, and the ladder went from under me. Lost the use of one ankle joint, and 3 ops later have a limp and another 2 ops to go. On the bright side........NURSES!!!!! __________________ its evolution baby

10-21-2003, 04:30 AM	#9 (permalink)
splck it's jam Location: Lowerainland BC	You could opt for one of these. __________________ nice line eh?

10-19-2003, 04:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
Ashton PORNHOUND Location: California	Step 1, Buy a tool belt..... 'A place for everything and everything in it's place' means you won't be climbing the ladder while holding a hammer, nails.... and a string of lights at the same time...... Step 2, Plan ahead, know what you want to do BEFORE you climb the ladder........ Step 3, Always make sure the ladder has a level non slippery footing.... Step 4, Never reach out farther than feels safe 'just because it sucks to go all the way back down to move the ladder a few inches' It's a long way down....... Step 4, Take your time, No amount of pretty lights is worth breaking a leg, or worse...... your family want's you there for Christmas more than pretty lights Take Care & Be Safe!

10-19-2003, 07:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
numist Banned Location: UCSD, 510.49 miles from my love	If you are feeling very paranoid, get yourself a safety harness, tie yourself to the ladder. Do this only after youve secured the ladder to your house so that it isnt going anwhere either though. Always keep your center of balance over the ladder, leaning back is a no-no if your center of balance goes withint a foot or half a foot from the base of the ladder, and leaning to either side should be restricted the higher you go. Just keep your head on straight and have yourself a plan, and the big thing from Ashton (other than the tool belt, which is also excellent advice) is "never reach further than feels safe just because it would suck to move the ladder the inch or so". Move the damn ladder an inch, it takes a minute of effort, and could save a lot more in the end.

10-20-2003, 07:59 AM	#6 (permalink)
jbrooks544 Addict	maybe buy an extension Ladder Stabilizer and the rubber covers. This gives the top of the ladder extra support and protects the side of your house. Avoid too steep an angle or too shallow an angle when setting it up. To shallow and the feet can kick out. Too steep and it can tip backwards. If slight side slope to ground then I put uphill foot with spikey toes in ground and other, lower foot flat to help level. More of a slope and you need to either dig out high side or build up lower. 23' ladder isn't all that tall. I don't go to roof of 2 floor house on less than 32' ladder. too rickety otherwise. Learn how to lift and carry from side of ladder with ladder vertical - one arm down and one up high - very easy. Obvious, but don't touch overhead wires when walking with it that way - ZOT! Don't reach. Don't hold sides of ladder with hands - hold rungs with hands - If your foot slipped you can't hold on to save yourself to sides. Always have at least one hand firmly on a rung - that way if feet slip then you can catch yourself. When in doubt, put a large stake just behind bottom rung to prevent kickout and maybe tie off the top too. Biggest tip.... don't fall.

10-20-2003, 08:57 AM	#7 (permalink)
alkaloid Dead Inside Location: East Coast, USA	Ashton, Numist, homerhop, onetime2, jbrooks544, thank you very much for your inputs. I really appreciate it. Ashton, I will definitely get a tool belt before I get up there. Thanks for the tip. And I won't take shortcuts and keep things safe. Numist, I will consider getting the harness, but my wife will probably laugh at me. She definitely wants to up the life insurance before I go on it. Thanks about bringing up center of gravity concern. I will keep it in mind. homerhop, Is this your leg in the picture? If it is, I hope you have recovered completely from it. This is a very compelling visual reminder to be careful. onetime2, I will definitely read the instruction carefully. I will have my wife hold the ladder at the bottom but maybe I should think about using that board stopper idea. jbrooks544 Thank you for your tips. I was thinking about getting the ladder stablizer, too. I would like to tie the ladder at the top but I cannot see anything I can attach it to. Thanks again everyone, -alkaloid

10-22-2003, 07:43 AM	#10 (permalink)
Liquor Dealer Super Agitator Location: Just SW of Nowhere!!! In the good old US of A	Don't ever use an aluminum extension ladder. Always make sure that the bottom is secure - most ladder accidents happen when you cause the bottom of the ladder to move. Never ever borrow a ladder - borrowed ladders will kill you. Don't overreach the ladder - get down and move it if you have to reach any farther than what is easilly accesible. __________________ Life isn't always a bowl of cherries, sometimes it's more like a jar of Jalapenos --- what you say or do today might burn your ass tomorrow!!! Last edited by Liquor Dealer; 10-27-2003 at 12:31 PM..

10-27-2003, 07:38 AM	#11 (permalink)
alkaloid Dead Inside Location: East Coast, USA	I tried climbing my aluminum extension ladder yesterday and didn't work out well. I was pretty scared. I didn't go above 8 ft or so. I'm a wimp. The whole thing bends significantly when it is fully extended. Maybe I should get a fiberglass ladder instead. Liquor Dealer, why do you say never to use aluminum extension ladder?

10-27-2003, 06:20 PM	#13 (permalink)
splck it's jam Location: Lowerainland BC	Aluminum ladders work fine if you buy the correct class of ladder. Most of the ladders you see for sale at hardware stores are grade 3 and for light duty home use. If you want a ladder that doesn’t bend or wiggle, buy a higher-class ladder. Get a grade 1 ladder if you don't like falling. Fiberglass ladders are light, sturdy, non-conductive, but quite expensive. Wood extension ladders are great if you can find them. Around here they are quite popular. They use aluminum rungs to keep the weight down. They're non-conductive, sturdier than aluminum, same weight as fiberglass and about half the price. Here's a site of a local ladder maker. __________________ nice line eh?

10-28-2003, 06:14 AM	#14 (permalink)
alkaloid Dead Inside Location: East Coast, USA	cool thanks. I think I'll go buy fiberglass ladder since they don't have wooden ones at the store. I also need taller ladder....