Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: crystal.clear on April 30, 2008, 01:50:39 pm
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last friday i had a fall from a ladder. im completely water fed but i had to climb over a gate as its always padlocked. I split the ladder and when i put one foot on the ladder to go over it slipped out i fell forward and smashed through another fence. i spent two days in hospital and now recovering. do we all climb gates or does anyone do anything different when it comes to that.
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Sorrry to hear that crystal clear - hope your recovery is quick and full.
No, I no longer use a ladder for anything, though I will stand on a stepper to reach over a very high gate to unbolt it.
I now tell custy's that if their gate is locked I will only do the fronts. And some custy's have a top bolt padlocked with a combination padlock to which I have the code.
If the job is worth it I will even offer to go halves on a combination padlock with them for just that reason.
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Sorrry to hear that crystal clear - hope your recovery is quick and full.
No, I no longer use a ladder for anything, though I will stand on a stepper to reach over a very high gate to unbolt it.
I now tell custy's that if their gate is locked I will only do the fronts. And some custy's have a top bolt padlocked with a combination padlock to which I have the code.
If the job is worth it I will even offer to go halves on a combination padlock with them for just that reason.
I have a list of all my customers with locked gates. If they are due up the next day, I give them a call the night before so they can leave it open for me.
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I still climb gates but only if I have someone to foot the ladder or if there is grass I can dig the bottom of the ladder down in to, otherwise I just clean the front and charge just for that, they soon get fed up with having just the front done and will either sort out access or get rid of you, most will sort it though ;D
Sorry to hear of your fall though, hope you recover well ;)
Regards
Denis
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Sounds nasty two days in hospital hope you recover well
Did you break any bones?
Dean
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no i didnt but i've really damaged my back and neck. i also have a hole in my stomach were abit of the fence went in. really i was very lucky and i think that will be the last time i'll go up a ladder. its not worth it. i would rather have my health than £10
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Sadly many of us, myself included learn the lesson the hard way.
I no longer climb over any garden gates/fences. If I can't gain access by phone, or short steps & pole to unbolt a gate then I will only do the front. Many of my custies have also given me keys or combinations to locks which is very helpful.
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I still use ladders for access,
Sorry to hear about your fall, and thank god your still alive to tell the tale.
Hope to get fit again soon.
Ian
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Get wll soon m8.
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Sounds like you have had a lucky escape as it could have been much worse
I still use ladders for access and the occasional job and this will make me more aware of my own safety
Dont rush back to work How long will you be off??
Dean
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Sorry to hear that. Get well soon.
I haven't needed to climb over locked gates. If I can't reach over to unlock it, then I just do the fronts.
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Get well soon.
I only climb over gates if they are very solid wrought iron type. This way I do not need to use any ladders, I just climb up the framework. I only do this with my clients knowledge though.
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i think ill be off for about 2 weeks but maybe longer. just glad i have insurance really. thanks to everyone. i think from now on i'll have to phone ppl the night before so they can leave gate open.
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and who said wfp was safe ;)
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Used to climb over gates etc but since taking on County Council work where this is verboten! have not bothered don't even stand on roofs any more. one slip and you may not be dead but you may be very sore and the customer won't care.
All this coming from a guy that used to walk ledges at 40ft plus doing offices and lived to tell the tale, I must have been REALLY lucky.
Sorry to hear about your mishap but a gate is a gate otherwise it would be a fence and I dont climb fences anymore due to (age, height, nails, splinters, paint, custies who complain.
Thank god I'm on holiday later this week am turning sour.
Get well soon.
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text or give them the call the personal touch goes a long way and no more climbing....get well soon
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Makes me mad when they have lock on gate ( as if that will deter a burglar ) and you have to act like sir edmund hillary with a ladder ! Dont bother cleaning the back if its locked and just charge the full price , they will soon cotten on ;D Hope you are feeling better soon .
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think ill be off for about 2 weeks but maybe longer. just glad i have insurance really. thanks to everyone. i think from now on i'll have to phone ppl the night before so they can leave gate open.
how much does your ins cost and does it pay a good wage or do you only get paid for time in hospital?
bertie
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i always jump gates, ive got a small set of ladders that are easy to grab and just jump over
...then i get moaned at ::)
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Cleaned a conservatory roof this morning from my folding sterps - when i packed them up i realised one side wasn't locked in place. :o
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I personally never climb gates anymore as it's too much hastle and a right pain. I just get the customer to leave the gate open by texting them night before or similar.
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I won't climb over gates, if they don't leave it open I don't do them. Too much messing about otherwise.
I am getting lazy in my old age.
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Sorry to hear about your fall. I'm amazed at some of the replies. Are you all window cleaners without using ladders at all ??? What about that window above a flat roof you can't get to with your pole, but can can by getting onto the roof safely with a ladder? I'm not suggesting you take a risk (stupid use of ladders with gates seems to be a common theme), but you'd think reading some of these posts that you'll fall off a ladder the minute you put a foot on it. Common sense. Anyone remember that ???