[brynley]

have we got any tips for keeping safe using ladders

[David Kent @ KentKleen]

IMO use them for getting over gates NOT for window cleaning!!

[bobplum]

have we got any tips for keeping safe using ladders

best tip,water fed pole

[Fin Clearview]

4 words that don't go together 'keeping safe using ladders' , I can say that now I'm wfp thank god.

[Nameless Drudge]

http://www.ladder-safe.co.uk/contactus.html,

Get one of these.I`m not biased even though my friend designed and manufactured it.He is a window cleaner.I won`t be without mine.As its mainly flat roofs i find myself climbing on to this thing is great,the feet sit on top of the roof and grip it.I`ve put it on the very corner of a wall when doing gutters and its brilliant.Highly recommended.

I`ll have to get him to send one to Lee Burbidge!

[Nameless Drudge]

I think that is an old site thats not being maintained,thats the product though,it hasn`t made him rich! Excellent bit of kit but they have never been a big seller,i don`t think the initial investment costs have ever been met.If you get one you will think everyone should have one which they almost certainly would if they were free. I count myself lucky that i know the chap,still had to pay though!

[rosskesava]

There's loads of stuff on the internet, H & S websites and on You Tube.

Sorry to sound rude but I think asking that question, that's just laziness.

[Nameless Drudge]

There's loads of stuff on the internet, H & S websites and on You Tube.

Sorry to sound rude but I think asking that question, that's just laziness.

Thats made me laugh!

Best tip i was  given was not to over reach EVER,IF ITS NOT COMFORTABLY IN REACH,GET DOWN AND MOVE THE LADDER.

[rosskesava]

Best tip I was ever given was 'don't use one'.

I still did use a ladder though for a good few years untill I saw the light and knew of a painter who had a stroke while up one. No amount of safe use of a ladder would have helped stop him smashing his head on the pavement like an egg being broken.

For anyone who knows Peacehaven on the South coast near Brighton, the point of impact is where there is a paint stain that's still on the pavement opposite a pub called the Sussex Coaster.

[4S Cleaning]

I have used ladders most of my working life for repairing windows and connys, yes ladders are dangerous so is crossing the road and numerous other things in fact if we were not to do the things that had a bit of risk to them we would be dead (breathing contains risk)  and there for in no need of health & safety.

Ladders are abit like dogs only as good/safe as the owner of them.

When I saw the op, I knew without reading the other posts that the wise cracks would follow.

[robertphil]

i spose the ones that shout about ladders feel threatened by the ones that use them.  of course theres a danger but as said above lifes full of dangers ,you just take care with anything dangerous ,be it a razor when you are shaving,a motor car ,or a ladder

[Fin Clearview]

Best tip I was ever given was 'don't use one'.

I still did use a ladder though for a few years untill I saw the light and knew of a painter who had a stroke while up one. No amount of safe use of a ladder would have helped stop him smashing his head on the pavement like an egg being broken.

For anyone who knows Peacehaven on the South coast near Brighton, the point of impact is where there is a paint stain that's still on the pavement opposite a pub called the Sussex Coaster.

Shoreham calling! Hello matey

[brynley]

i started this post to try to help any one to use ladders safely, i myself  have done a health and safety course, always make sure my ladder is in good order, use my common sense, never take risks,if i don't feel right i don't use a ladder, i have never in over 16 years have had an accident using a ladder, and hope i never will, but i have had an accident with both feet on the floor when there was ice under the snow, so accidents can happen at any time, even using a wfp.

[robertphil]

i started this post to try to help any one to use ladders safely, i myself  have done a health and safety course, always make sure my ladder is in good order, use my common sense, never take risks,if i don't feel right i don't use a ladder, i have never in over 16 years have had an accident using a ladder, and hope i never will, but i have had an accident with both feet on the floor when there was ice under the snow, so accidents can happen at any time, even using a wfp.

what was the outcome etc of the accident

[brynley]

i had stitches in my elbow, i was not able to break my fall because my hands were full holding my equiptment, when i went to hospital there were 28 people with broken bones we all got caught out.

[rosskesava]

i started this post to try to help any one to use ladders safely, i myself  have done a health and safety course, always make sure my ladder is in good order, use my common sense, never take risks,if i don't feel right i don't use a ladder, i have never in over 16 years have had an accident using a ladder, and hope i never will, but i have had an accident with both feet on the floor when there was ice under the snow, so accidents can happen at any time, even using a wfp.

Why didn't you post that right at the beginning and then ask for any tips about the safe use of ladders?

Accidents can happen at any time even with wfp but when they happen with ladders, they tend to be more serious. By posting that you've never had an accident using ladders but have had one with wfp sort of makes out that there is less risk, or an equal risk or a similar risk, using a ladder without directly saying that.

Maybe it's because you're more carefull about the risk when using a ladder. I've never had an accident with a ladder even when I was 100% trad but I've fallen over loads of things in peoples gardens using wfp. It has been more by luck than judgement that I havn't injured myself. The problem is I'm not seeing the risk using wfp as I should do and I know that but that doesn't detract from the fact that using ladders carries a far higher risk even when used safely than wfp when risk isn't seen as such a priority.

The safest way to use a ladder is to see it as a very high risk, separate from any thing else work wise, and use it in a way to reduce that risk to a minimum. That might sound obvious but most accidents with ladders are a 100% avoidable and sometimes they are by people who have been using them safely for years.

[rosskesava]

Shoreham calling! Hello matey

Hiya mate. Always nice to make contact with someone in the same part of the country. Shoreham's a nice area to work in - I've more than a few jobs around that way mainly along the Brighton Road and off the Old Shoreham Road. I've even got a few jobs in Sompting.

Cheers.

[SunShineCleaning]

I have used ladders most of my working life for repairing windows and connys, yes ladders are dangerous so is crossing the road and numerous other things in fact if we were not to do the things that had a bit of risk to them we would be dead (breathing contains risk)  and there for in no need of health & safety.

Ladders are abit like dogs only as good/safe as the owner of them.

When I saw the op, I knew without reading the other posts that the wise cracks would follow.

Correct, people die doing it, however if there is a pedestrian crossing I would rather use it than not. Hence, I would rather use WFP than ladders.

Not breathing has MORE risk (greater consequences) than breathing, using ladders has more risk (greater consequence) than WFP.

[SunShineCleaning]

i spose the ones that shout about ladders feel threatened by the ones that use them.  of course theres a danger but as said above lifes full of dangers ,you just take care with anything dangerous ,be it a razor when you are shaving,a motor car ,or a ladder

I dont think its that we feel threatened, rather we reduce the risk of accidents. I dont want to be a statistic any time soon.
http://www.sunshine-cleaning.net/Whyweavoidladders.html

If anyone needs any help local to me to swap over to WFP I will always help.

[Fin Clearview]

Shoreham calling! Hello matey

Hiya mate. Always nice to make contact with someone in the same part of the country. Shoreham's a nice area to work in - I've more than a few jobs around that way mainly along the Brighton Road and off the Old Shoreham Road. I've even got a few jobs in Sompting.

Cheers.

Likewise, what van are you buzzing about in, I'll say hello in person when I see ya