OSHA wants a ladder 3′ above the roof edge. period. I always hated that, esp. if wearing shorts, the leg can catch.
Well, yesterday pretty cold for shorts so I had Carhartt insul bibs. I figgure being as I am on a main street ( even tho’ a Sat.) I’d give it a whirl, also being as I had a too long ladder.
KNEEPADS, WILL KILL YOU.
Forced to step around the extra ladder ( flat roof, stepping over a box gutter) my left foot was on roof, right was coming along behind and my knee pad hooked the ladder and it slid along at me..As I opened my legs to get the ladder back verticle, I about went too far, and did a minor “Split”. Now the pad was stuck, the ladder rail was caught. I tried again to free myself and repeated what just happened. I finally got it free by backing back down a step. Then ripped off the pads and got on the roof.
Somehow re-twisted an already sore shoulder ( bursitis) and saw god briefly.
So, if I’m climbing up and down loading the roof, the pads come off.
OSHA SUCKS. I like to step OVER the ladder, NOT around it. OSHA SUCKS. Wish I had it on tape to email who ever had that law/rule enacted.
Rant over.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
They kill Prophets, for Profits.
Replies
You got dimensions for me? I'm gearing up for a long day of bending. I'm gonna be off between Christmas and NY.
http://www.quittintime.com/ View Image
Yeah, I do. I was gonna stop on the way home, but being SAT. I was unsure..I shoulda called you.
I'll redraw and email the pans , 5 total.
All went well other wise.
You should have a picture in about an hour or so if my scanner is working again, I had a problem with it last week.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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sketchuphttp://www.quittintime.com/ View Image
I've not mastered it yet , like you have.
You have mail.
Pretty straight forward, ez gutter.
Could I get cleat stock and a few flat pans before you shut down? If not that's OK, I have other stuff to do.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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I got it. I'll have it all ready before Christmas.http://www.quittintime.com/ View Image
And, and...
Tuck your shoe laces into something or tape 'em up if you've got speed lacings on your boots.
I never get on a roof anymore without doing it. Loop swung into speed lace hook on opposite boot as i was traversing a 7 - 12 two story. Threw me to the deck and started the death roll to the edge, somehow I stopped juuuuuust at the gutter.
Has happened to me just walking on flat ground too. Like getting caught in an instant snare. Not a fan of speed laces.
Remodeling Contractor just on the other side of the Glass City
One word: sliponshttp://www.quittintime.com/ View Image
Glad to hear you're OK.
And I'm guessing you didn't need any coffee for a while, either.
Ok, is relative..LOL
One pc and nothing broke is what matters.
Scared the bejeezus outta me for sure. It was JUST high enough that I woulda not had time to aim for the bushes, it was a sidewalk below.
F*%K OSHA, I'm staying with tried and true.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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Saw a nice walk-through ladder at the supply house a couple of weeks ago. Three feet of handrail extending up both sides. Like a swimming-pool ladder, or a fixed rooftop ladder. Now THAT'S an idea.But I didn't go over to look at it close-up. How wide is the opening? Can you fit through with a tool belt on?Anyone used one of these?AitchKay
I think you may be thinking of this ladder accessory:
http://www.snugharness.com/Ladder-Safety/Guardian-Ladder-Rail-Extension/
I have not used it, but it looks promising. The only drawback is that it costs as much as the ladder does!
Edited 12/21/2008 5:05 pm ET by renosteinke
It's safer to use though since you can step thru it instead of stepping around a conventional ladder.
No I haven't bought any either just yet !!
Yeah, I’m pretty sure that’s it. I was looking at a ladder that appeared to have been cut off for display purposes, and I assumed, from 30’ away, that the attachment was integral.From your link, I also see that it flares out to allow passage -- that’s good, but they don’t say how much it flares -- step-through clearance still might be a problem.But 200 smackers?!?!? I’ll bet most of that money goes to their insurance company!Aitchkay
OSHA wants a ladder 3' above the roof edge. period. I always hated that...
That's not OSHA, that's common sense.
I don't pay any attention to OSHA, but I always insist that a ladder be extended at least 2' above a roof. Stability on a ladder requires that both hands and feet be in contact. You can't do that if the top is at roof level.
It's also common sense to tie off a ladder at the top and bottom so it can't move (or be removed or have the wind blow it down).
It's also common sense to watch whatever is hanging off your body (tool belt, air hose) when you step off or onto a ladder.
Solar & Super-Insulated Healthy Homes
Duane,
If you're working alone OSHA has no jurisdiction over you. Do as you please until you have employees working with you.
Walter
Pretty much what I thought..hey, heres the scene of the crime..
View Image
I hope to have good pics of the flat seam going down, soon. Yesterday was fix the gutter and add a bevel strip for ice.
View Image
HO wouldn't let me redo the crown and cornice, so I'll whack more screws in when I lay the copper liner.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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They kill Prophets, for Profits.
Wow -- yellow tips -- whats that good for 225 lbs ??!!
You're finally getting in some more gutter and lock seam work !
Could be the start of gettin' right back in.
Can't you wear the Patella T brand of pads ?
Yeah, its a 24' WERNER with the extenda feetsies..I like it.
This was/is one of Grants old buddies, that Grant hooked me up with for rebuilding his columns 5 yrs ago. He called me outta blue for the porch roof...had a miscom w/Grant ( and he says he is too busy anyway) when he SAID he called Grant, but Grant never got a call..so anyway..I needed something to do, and still have all the tools ( and my own brake now)..so I priced it and Grant is making all the parts..work out well..G-man makes some $$$ and doesn't have to deal with the headaches, and tear off and stuff.
I may get new highdollar pads, or just take a slab of foam to kneel on. Flux on pads ruins them anyway.
Be nice to have the Solder Iron oven going when it's 20 degrees up there!Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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I just checked, it's 250lbs..Thats ok I weigh 175.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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I put the pads on before the bibs this time of year....
nothing to do with getting snagged I just think my knees stay warmer that way..
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I'd just got these new AWP ones, kinda bulky. I hate pads anyways, just trying to save some wear and tear in my old age.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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are those the real sticky ones ?I can't wait to go to work tomorrowTonight: Widespread blowing snow and a chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around -2. Wind chill values as low as -30. Windy, with a west wind 25 to 30 mph decreasing to between 15 and 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of around 2 inches.Monday: A 30 percent chance of snow showers. Partly sunny and cold, with a high near 12. Wind chill values as low as -10. West wind between 10 and 15 mph. Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 0. Wind chill values as low as -15. South wind around 10 mph.
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Ain't much better down here. I gotta leave the water dripping or I will be a plumber come sun-up.
The pads are the newer flat w/tire like tread..Gel pads..I got skinny knees, they are some of the only ones that fit worth a damm. I still roll outta them..might toss em and keep shopping, I got about 3 sq of soldering on the roof..all day, kneeling.
Here they are, View Image actually, no it's not, but close to that.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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They kill Prophets, for Profits.
Edited 12/21/2008 12:24 pm ET by Sphere
I think I got the same ones.. mine have red lettering I was thinking of those sticky tire looking ones but I'm usually kneeling on steel grating and they probably would get caught and break my legs.
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I won't agree that OSHA sucks, but their ladder rule seems to be a triumph of 'imagination' over experience.
I mount roofs almost every day, and, to keep from crunching gutters, etc, mount on the rake side.
If the ladder extends the 3' called for, it is almost impossible to safely remount the ladder.
But that rule makes a lot of sense if you're sitting behind a desk, I guess.....
"Ask not what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive... then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
Howard Thurman
Shoot, rakes are even WORSE..I like to keep a standoff handy and have it rest on the shingles above a gutter when possible, that makes the most sense to me. I could have on this roof if I (A) had a shorter ladder, and (B) coulda kept the standoff out of the box gutter.
As Riversong points out, it's a common sense thing.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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I try to set up so the middle of the top rung is against the shingles on the rake edge. Mounting and dismounting the roof, I can grab the drip edge or rake board with my "outboard" hand. I really like having that handhold.It works best for me.
"Ask not what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive... then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
Howard Thurman
I hate having to bend and hope to find that first step when someone sets the ladder wrong, you know, wrong like not three or so rungs above the roof. I like having a little handle to hold as I make the turn. Fully realize it's not a functional handle and it wouldn't do any good should I slip, but I do like to have a hald on the ladder before I step on it. I'm with OSHA on this one. Actually I'm with my Dad on this one, he's the one who made me set them like that for years. Vic