Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: CraigBlues on January 04, 2012, 04:53:02 pm
-
Has anyone ever slipped off the ladder or ladder slipped from under them?
Well today wasn't my day! I have never ever done it, but was doing a job, did the property all traditional but on the pole then thought as it was a new customer I would thoroughly clean the top sills by using the ladder.
The property had decking running away from the house which didn't seem too slippy but I got my antislip mat out and my ladder limpets. Everything perfect, cleaned the sill. stepped down and ladder completely slipped back. Luckily just a sprained ankle, but the ladder also kindly bounced and hit patio door window and shattered it! Gutted!
I feel so stupid and even considered am I in the right career. Luckily my new custy is ever so nice and wasn't bothered at all! She still wants me to come back after the new glass being fitted, Also insisted on paying me but I wouldn't let her.
Someone else must have been unfortunate. :-[
-
Hi Craig,
unlucky, won"t your insurance pay for that.
Alan
-
Excess is more than the new window. Its not the end of the word, just one of those unfortunate things.
-
Check it out Craig those windows are bloody dear
-
No got a window fitting friend come round. quoted fairing, its only the glass.
Its one of those metal framed slidding doors, not the upvc.
So next investment is one of those ladder anchors that apparently hold the floor and ladder.
http://www.midlandladders.com/products/The_LadderM8rix_Ladder_Base_Anchor-278-50.html (http://www.midlandladders.com/products/The_LadderM8rix_Ladder_Base_Anchor-278-50.html)
Or maybe some suction feet on ladder. Hmmm...
-
If I ever have to use a ladder on decking I nail a piece of 4" x 2" into the decking that I carry in the van with 4" nails, to prevent it from slipping out.
-
Has anyone ever slipped off the ladder or ladder slipped from under them?
Well today wasn't my day! I have never ever done it, but was doing a job, did the property all traditional but on the pole then thought as it was a new customer I would thoroughly clean the top sills by using the ladder.
The property had decking running away from the house which didn't seem too slippy but I got my antislip mat out and my ladder limpets. Everything perfect, cleaned the sill. stepped down and ladder completely slipped back. Luckily just a sprained ankle, but the ladder also kindly bounced and hit patio door window and shattered it! Gutted!
I feel so stupid and even considered am I in the right career. Luckily my new custy is ever so nice and wasn't bothered at all! She still wants me to come back after the new glass being fitted, Also insisted on paying me but I wouldn't let her.
Someone else must have been unfortunate. :-[
Glad your ok, that is the main thing :D
Do you have articulated feet on your ladder?
If you decide to get that Ladder M8trix let us know how you get on with it, im considering trying one soon.
-
If I ever have to use a ladder on decking I nail a piece of 4" x 2" into the decking that I carry in the van with 4" nails, to prevent it from slipping out.
This is a cracking bit of advice!
Out of interest does the customer mind you doing this and leaving holes on the decking?
-
never EVER put ladders on decking especially if its wet!! :o :o
luckily you got away with it.ive fell off a few times.once on imprinted concrete and another time on a mossy flag.landed on heels both times.luckily i was ok apart from a sore ankle and back on second slip.
i know guys who ve shattered their heels!! :o :o
take it easy and just use the pole from now on.
best wishes
dazmond
-
If I ever have to use a ladder on decking I nail a piece of 4" x 2" into the decking that I carry in the van with 4" nails, to prevent it from slipping out.
This is a cracking bit of advice!
Out of interest does the customer mind you doing this and leaving holes on the decking?
The holes are invisible practically, the nails and wood come out afterwards. If the customer were to object the gutter/window/fascia or whatever would remain dirty.
-
Glad your ok, that is the main thing :D
Do you have articulated feet on your ladder?
If you decide to get that Ladder M8trix let us know how you get on with it, im considering trying one soon.
Well got the normal feet on my ladder currently. Never had a problem like I say, oh well. Wasn't sure about mentioning on here but just one of those things.
Plus wanted to make people aware these things do happen.
I defiantly need to look into WFP now this has happened.
-
Glad your ok, that is the main thing :D
Do you have articulated feet on your ladder?
If you decide to get that Ladder M8trix let us know how you get on with it, im considering trying one soon.
Well got the normal feet on my ladder currently. Never had a problem like I say, oh well. Wasn't sure about mentioning on here but just one of those things.
Plus wanted to make people aware these things do happen.
I defiantly need to look into WFP now this has happened.
Too right, we always learn from our mistakes!
Use a bit of timber as mentioned above (sounds the safest, cheapest solution) untill you get a WFP.
-
lucky you escaping with your life - those anti-slip ladder mats are ABSOLUTELY LETHAL- i had a ladder slip out on those and i sung on here like a hot canary about them. the inventor contacted me and was annoyed at me, i then sung even louder and i hope you do too Craig .
they slip on all surfaces if its damp and should be banned
-
Ladders on decking at this time of the year, with the decking running away from the house, ha! Might as well send out gold plated invitations to your funeral mate.
-
Sorry to hear what happened Craig. I'm glad you are OK though.
On wet decking I put an old thick bath towel under the ladder feet. It works for me on the houses I have, and recently I had one where it was almost too slippery to walk on, yet there wasn't a hint of slippage with the towel in place. If the decking is sloping away from the house, I would check very carefully before going up the ladder. Each case on its merits.
John
-
should have done a runner mate or said a bird flew into it ;D
-
decking running sideways to the house is no problem at all with spikes,but bit more scary if running away from the house but i just push my weight down while at bottom of ladder and the spikes dig in enough to not slip,wouldnt dream of climbing a ladder with standard feet which ever way the decking was :o
-
lucky you escaping with your life - those anti-slip ladder mats are ABSOLUTELY LETHAL- i had a ladder slip out on those and i sung on here like a hot canary about them. the inventor contacted me and was annoyed at me, i then sung even louder and i hope you do too Craig .
they slip on all surfaces if its damp and should be banned
Which one are you on about, the Ladder m8trix?
-
would have used the pole to clean cill
-
lucky you escaping with your life - those anti-slip ladder mats are ABSOLUTELY LETHAL- i had a ladder slip out on those and i sung on here like a hot canary about them. the inventor contacted me and was annoyed at me, i then sung even louder and i hope you do too Craig .
they slip on all surfaces if its damp and should be banned
Which one are you on about, the Ladder m8trix?
laddermat . nearly all the online window cleaning suppliers are now selling this , guys and gals will be buying this in the belief theyre getting an aid to safety but in reality theyre buying a dangerous product . not many things in life that i feel strongly about but this is one . the inventor tried to give me gifts but i want no gifts and i nearly broke both my legs and still have bumps on my shin bones !and he also sent me details of safety tests he had had done, but none were done on damp surfaces . damp isnt necessarily wet to look at either
-
decking running sideways to the house is no problem at all with spikes,but bit more scary if running away from the house but i just push my weight down while at bottom of ladder and the spikes dig in enough to not slip,wouldnt dream of climbing a ladder with standard feet which ever way the decking was :o
Where you get your feet from?
-
Also. Had cleaned gutters before cleaning the windows, hence I had the ladder up.
-
decking running sideways to the house is no problem at all with spikes,but bit more scary if running away from the house but i just push my weight down while at bottom of ladder and the spikes dig in enough to not slip,wouldnt dream of climbing a ladder with standard feet which ever way the decking was :o
Where you get your feet from?
third ones down page, pair of spikes use these on all my houses
http://http://www.gcdewey.co.uk/accessories.html?move=next
-
link is wrong just go back a page on it and they there page 2
-
I won't use a ladder on any decking that is wet or damp regardless. Same goes for algae covered footpaths and surfaces etc.
Having said that, the only fall I've ever had window cleaning was on wet decking. I wasn't up the ladder, I was carrying it back to the van. I put one foot on the decking and was like ice.
Fortunately, no bones broken - just some extremely painfull bruises. One of which was to that funny bone bit at the base of the spine. Sitting down was agony for a week afterwards.
A mate who I sometimes work with also hurt himself on wet decking. He uses a ladder mate and to prove to me it was 100% safe even on wet slippery decking, he took a short run up at it with the intention to jump and land on it with both feet to show it wouldn't move.
Unfortunately, while taking his short run up, he slipped and missed the laddermate, came a real cropper and landed on top of it instead. I almost wet myself laughing.
-
I won't use a ladder on any decking that is wet or damp regardless. Same goes for algae covered footpaths and surfaces etc.
Having said that, the only fall I've ever had window cleaning was on wet decking. I wasn't up the ladder, I was carrying it back to the van. I put one foot on the decking and was like ice.
Fortunately, no bones broken - just some extremely painfull bruises. One of which was to that funny bone bit at the base of the spine. Sitting down was agony for a week afterwards.
A mate who I sometimes work with also hurt himself on wet decking. He uses a ladder mate and to prove to me it was 100% safe even on wet slippery decking, he took a short run up at it with the intention to jump and land on it with both feet to show it wouldn't move.
Unfortunately, while taking his short run up, he slipped and missed the laddermate, came a real cropper and landed on top of it instead. I almost wet myself laughing.
:o
-
decking running sideways to the house is no problem at all with spikes,but bit more scary if running away from the house but i just push my weight down while at bottom of ladder and the spikes dig in enough to not slip,wouldnt dream of climbing a ladder with standard feet which ever way the decking was :o
Where you get your feet from?
third ones down page, pair of spikes use these on all my houses
http://http://www.gcdewey.co.uk/accessories.html?move=next
I'm not sure about the spikes. I quite like the suction feet.
-
i started using spikes the week after i fell on the laddermat and theyre the very best thing , i wish id heard of em earlier !
-
decking running sideways to the house is no problem at all with spikes,but bit more scary if running away from the house but i just push my weight down while at bottom of ladder and the spikes dig in enough to not slip,wouldnt dream of climbing a ladder with standard feet which ever way the decking was :o
Where you get your feet from?
third ones down page, pair of spikes use these on all my houses
http://http://www.gcdewey.co.uk/accessories.html?move=next
I'm not sure about the spikes. I quite like the suction feet.
there aint that many window cleaners round my area that dont have spikes to be honest,not sure what suction feet going be like but they would be no good for my round anyway as i need my ladder angled more on soft ground to reach windows sometimes,my uncle uses the articulated feet and prefers them to spikes think deweys sell them aswell
-
many may laugh, but the best anti slip device on decking is a damp piece of scrim under your ladder. Thats one tip you wont pick up on a ladder safety course ;D one person recomends spikes i would not recomend these for some surfaces and definately not on decking, also spikes today are made wrong they are all set at the wrong angle when fixed to ladder so dont work as efficiently as they should.
-
Glad your okay and custie was fine about things too. I use WFP now but if I needed to use ladder on wet decking I had slip mat but carried two large wallpaper srtrippers to slot in decking then slip mat up to decking , also use same idea between flagstones or sometimes bolster chisel if that fittted better .
Came off ladder years ago on wet flags -in a rush - got away with bad sprain but leasson learnt ,made me extra cautious after that .
-
Try one of these http://uk.search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A7x9Qb0OvgRPv2YALYZLBQx.;_ylu=X3oDMTByNGxmazk4BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2lyZAR2dGlkAw--/SIG=128bpn0pm/EXP=1325739662/**http%3a//www.hobuk.co.uk/acatalog/Titan-Base-Mate.html
fantastic for uneven ground and the spikes work well even on wet decking
-
GLAD YOUR OK MATE, I DID THE SAME TING LAST YEAR, SMASHED MY CHIN ON THE BOTTOM WINDOW LEDGE(5 STITCHES) GOOD JOB IT WAS TIMBER AND NOT CONCRETE, I,M GOING TO WFP THIS YEAR I,M NEARER TO 50 THAN 40 AND MY REACTIONS AREN,T WHAT THEY WERE..
-
I was literally skating on ice today on customers green decking. No joke, I went from side to side like I was on skates, great fun, but dangerous if it catches you out, almost jarred my back twice!
Ladderm8rix is what you need if you need to do ladderwork on those types of jobs. Best trad investment of the century.
-
go wfp as soon as you can mate.you wont regret it.there really is no need to climb a ladder for the majority of your work once you ve got a system and decent pole.
-
If the decking runs the right way, the link below may be of help:
http://www.soapnational.co.uk/acatalog/ladder-accessories.html
Top item called Footee Decking Supports
-
many may laugh, but the best anti slip device on decking is a damp piece of scrim under your ladder. Thats one tip you wont pick up on a ladder safety course ;D one person recomends spikes i would not recomend these for some surfaces and definately not on decking, also spikes today are made wrong they are all set at the wrong angle when fixed to ladder so dont work as efficiently as they should.
Not laughing here because I've done that with the scrim. It does work but I wouldn't put it in a method statement or risk assessment.
-
I have spikes fitted.dont do pattern concrete its the devils work