Ok, I’m opening myself up to lots of wise cracks with this one. I’m perfectly aware of it. Aside from the fact that I’m an Archy, and that already puts me down a peg (or more) in most of your books, I’m a woman that doesn’t have much coordination. Think of all the Seinfeld episodes where they make fun of the way what’s her name dances. That’s me. Shocking, I know.
I’ve been making a lot of jobsite visits lately and, as a result, I’ve needed to use a lot of ladders. I’ve always known this fact, but it has become blatantly obvious that I suck at using ladders. Going up I do alright. Its the whole coming down part that needs help.
Anyone got some tips that might make me less of a laughing matter on the ladder?
Replies
Just as there are safety instructions with power tools there are also safety procedures with ladders.
What works best for me is to extend the ladder 2-4 feet above the roof.
I get down in a kneeling position and extend one foot over onto a rung and then pull myself onto the ladder.
Was this of any help?
^^^^^^
"The Older We Get, The Better We Were"
I've heard two schools of thought on using a ladder--one says to keep your hands on the side rails, so you always have a hold as you slide them down the rails as you go, but the other says that the side rail hold isn't as sure as holding the rungs. With grasping the rungs you can get a rhythm established--sort of like crawling, so opposite hand and foot moves at same time (I think--have to get on a ladder and see what I do). Hard part is to not get the ladder bouncing by being too rhythmic! If it starts to bounce, just stop and let it come to rest then start again. Sheesh, didn't think I needed more than 25 words to say this!
> I've heard two schools of thought on using a ladder--one says to keep your hands on the side rails, so you always have a hold as you slide them down the rails as you go, but the other says that the side rail hold isn't as sure as holding the rungs.
My policy on that is:
Clean hands, hold the rails
Dirty hands, hold the rungs.
That way you keep the rails and clean hands clean. The rungs get dirty from your feet anyhow. The idea is to sort of quarrantine the crud.
-- J.S.
Wear a skirt to climb in, you will loads of help getting up and down. Heck you might even get a personal valet. Probably doesn't help much but couldn't resist.
Other than that its kinda like riding a bike, once you learn it, it becomes second nature. Try not looking down, count the number of steps up, count in head on way back down.
Jen,
Practice, practice, practice.
Coming down is more difficult than going up if you are unsure of yourself. A couple common things that might help:
Most stores/web sites that sell ladders also sell stand-off/stabilizers that are wider than the ladder and make the ladder much more stable. They usually attach without tools. They even make one that you can use specifically for putting a ladder against the corner of a house.
If you can tie the ladder off to the wall or with a stake in the ground it will make the ladder much more stable and give you a lot more confidence. I use a 2 or 3 ft. iron pipe that I drive into the ground at an angle a few feet from the base of the ladder. Then tie a rope from the stake to about the fourth rung on the ladder. Two stakes several feet apart are even better. Get someone to show you how to tie a trucker's hitch that will snug the ladder up tight.
After a couple tries, you'll find that securing a ladder takes very little time and is well worth the effort.
Thousands of accidents occur every year with ladders. Probably one of the most common of all accidents in the trades and often very serious. Take the time to make sure your ladder is safe, and don't ever let anyone give you a hard time for using extra caution. You can get hurt just as easily on the quick up and down as on an all day job.
Light ladders are more dangerous because the slide and kick out so easily. Use even more caution with them.
I reached my current age by dumb luck, but now I make sure any staging or ladder I use is safe and secure before I get on it.
Be safe
oldfred
Uh . . . not to be dense, but exactly what issues do you have with coming down? Missing the rungs? Fear freeze? Getting on to the ladder?
One of my first jobs as a teen was painting a mansion that was 30' to the soffit. I spent the first 3 days on the job just hangin' on for dear life. After that, it got easier day by day until, by the end of the job it didn't matter if I was on the ladder or on good 'ol terra firma. Just like anything else, the more you do it, the more comfortable you become. Why not get yourself a ladder at home and find yourself some projects to use it with? (If you can't think of any, you could always come over and paint my house, clean my gutters, . . . ) ;- )
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
Mike,
Good questions. I don't miss rungs. I guess I have a fear of the initial getting on the ladder to go down. Once on the ladder, I'm fine with the exception that I'm awfully slow. I think part of the problem is not being able to see where my feet are going very well. Part of that issue will never be resolved, curse of the womanly figure. That said, I feel like I'm missing some obvious method that would make my decent easier.
Part of the problem is that I don't use ladders much. Maybe once or twice a month. Maybe it is simply practice, practice, practice as others have mentioned.
Thanks, Jen
" Good questions. I don't miss rungs. I guess I have a fear of the initial getting on the ladder to go down. Once on the ladder, I'm fine with the exception that I'm awfully slow. I think part of the problem is not being able to see where my feet are going very well. Part of that issue will never be resolved, curse of the womanly figure. That said, I feel like I'm missing some obvious method that would make my decent easier.
Part of the problem is that I don't use ladders much. Maybe once or twice a month. Maybe it is simply practice, practice, practice as others have mentioned. "
Ahhhh. Thing #1. Fear of that first step. Really common. Ever try rappeling? Same deal. Stepping of the cliff is the ONLY hard part! It's just a matter of learning to trust the "equipment" (in this case, both the ladder and your own balance.) You'll get over it after you've done it enough and your psyche is convinced that you will NOT crash & burn despite all baser instincts to the contrary.
Thing #2. So who looks at their feet anyway? Except for the transition from the number of rungs at the overlap, there's nothin' to see! You're way better off keeping eyes front -- better for balance -- than down. (That may help out with Thing #1 too.) You know where the rungs are -- no need to look at 'em. Also, are you remaining essentially upright? I.e., if you let go, will you be standing on a rung or laying on the ladder? It should be the former.
My guess is that your self-consciousness about the whole deal (bunch of guys watchin' the "girl" on the ladder, seemingly just waiting for her to screw up) is half your problem. Just keep after it.
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
PS: As for the "curse of the womanly figure", I know some guys who haven't seen their feet for years! ; -)
I guess that's where I've been going wrong. I try to watch my feet which means I have to torque my body in a silly fashion.
It'll be interesting next time I use a ladder to try to trust a blind approach.
As mentioned before, just don't forget about the transition between the fly section and the lowe section. I've given myself a scare a few times on that one and I like climbing around on ladders, scaffold, etc. Angle of the ladder is key. too steep and anyone would be nervous and too shallow and you'll start bouncing the ladder. no easy answers. I think it's ok to be slow. at least your not layin on the ground after a fall. been there walking down fowards with a bundle cedar shakes in each hand. Stupid. just go slow, follow most of the advice people have posted. good luck.
Bless your heart for giving me permission to be slow! All things being equal, I'd rather be slow and safe than fast and unsafe. Just felt like my slowness might have been because I was doing something "wrong".
>>"All things being equal, I'd rather be slow and safe than fast and unsafe.
Good instincts. Whenever I'm doing something I'm not too keen on but need to keep the pace up, I think of how much time the ER visit would take out of the day. Usually makes me less eager to rush.
Then again, duct tape is a quick fix for a lot of uh ohs too. ;-)
"Let's get crack-a-lackin" --- Adam Carolla
Jen,
I'm going to assume two things.
You'r atractive, and you have a nice bu!!
I'm sorry! Let me start over.
Extend your ladder 4' above the edge of your roof line.
Put your toes at the base of your ladder.
Extend your arms straight out.
Your finger tips need to hit the the top of the rung.
This assures the correct angle.
Then grab onto the rung and pull the ladder towards you away from the roof.
Let go.
Now the ladder must be verticle.
If not, then find leveler ground.
Why not practice at home?
TRIGGER
I think you're telling me to make sure the ladder isn't leaning to the right or the left as I stand in front of it ready to start climbing.
If that isn't what you are saying, please clarify for me. My sleepy morning eyes might not be reading right.
That first step is the hard one - and it is wise to be aware of it. IMO, It could be the most dangerous one. - this is for right handed ladies. If you are a lefty, reerse all the instructions..Stand at edge of the roof with the ladder (extended 3-4 feet above the roof edge) on your left.Place your left hand on the upright rail nearest you.
Place your left foot withina couple inches of the roof and that same upright.turn a 180° by swinging your right foot aroundto step onto the rung best positioned to recieve it, and then grab the ladder with the right hand. You now still have your left foot on the edge of the roof, your right foot on a rung, and both hands full of white knuckles. Relax and let the blood flow into your fingers, then move that final foot onto the rung of the ladder and start down.Don't try the forward down as one guy suggested, that is for advanced gymnasts only. I used to do that too from when I was doing hot BUR roofing. carried two buckets up and down with no hands on ladder way too many times. My last time I had a gallon of paint in one hand and a paint brush in the other. Somehow I missed a rung with my foot and rode the rails down. My butt cheeks hit every rung on the way down but they didn't even stay long enough for introductions, let alone any intimacy.I hit the ground with both legs straight out in front of me, and the bucket of paaint made a cutre geyser splash across the lawn. Things like that can be embarassing.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Remember how I said I lack coordination? While I fully understand the idea and process behind your method, it is certain to get me injured.
Don't even ask me how I fell off a perfectly nice porch last summer. I don't mean I tripped and caught myself, I mean I fell. I thuded onto the patio below. And immediately started laughing at myself. Thankfully, only my pride was wounded that day.
Atleast I didn't leave behind any visual clues to my lack of grace *grin duck run*
It works much better, after you take that first step onto the ladder, coming down, to keep your head up. It may seem counterintuitive, but it aligns your body & puts your center of gravity where it belongs, centered over your hips.
If you try to look at your feet, your butt will stick out & you will be more likely to have trouble. I know, 'cause I'm female, too.
Best of luck! I like the idea of putting up a ladder in some private spot & practicing. Follow those suggestions about tying it off securely - it will make a big improvement in your confidence level.
I always try to look kind of to my side - easier than trying to look past the cleavage. The guys might not think so, but we women know how it is.
Thanks for the heads up advice. Haha....heads up. I'll give it a try.
If you decide to wear a skirt, take my advice.Don't wear any underwear. Because if you do, guys are going to trip over themselves trying to look at your underwear.Nobody will be getting any work done.
The destination is not the point. The completion is not the point. Enjoy today. If you can't enjoy today, then what is the point ?
Right. Because if I wore a skirt and no underwear, it be just like every other day a chic in a skirt with no panties climbs up a ladder. And who wants to see that every day?
Booooring!
Actually, no one would notice if you also wore a holster carrying a couple of tubes of Liquid Nails.
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
ROFLMAO
The destination is not the point. The completion is not the point. Enjoy today. If you can't enjoy today, then what is the point ?
Instep of each foot snugged tight (not too tight) against the upside outer edges of the rails....hook your fingers around the outside back edge of the rails and use them to slow or speed your slide to the bottom.
OSHA will love ya for it!
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Many good suggestions so far-except for the skirt.
Many ladders have the fly section,or upper section,extend on the outside of the base section of ladder.When coming back down the ladder you'll find where the sections join that you'll need to step in further to get to the rungs on the base section.
After thousands of climbs I still sometimes take a mis-step where this transition occurs.
Having 3' above the roof or floor is mandatory for OSHA requirements-makes getting off at the landing or roof much safer.
Good luck.
I don't think there's much any of us can tell you. It's kind of like riding a bike - You can tell someone how to do it. But until they get on it and practice, they wil never get the hang of it.
Keep trying, and you'll get a "feel" for ladders too.
BTW - Definitely don't wear a skirt or dress. It's just TOO tempting for the guys.
Unless, of course, I want to tempt you guys ;-)
I find it so interesting when I walk onto a jobsite. The first guy spots me and I swear I can feel the chemical signal that screams "WOMAN ON SITE! WOMAN ON SITE".
No wonder I like site visits so much!
While I was building inspector I worked quite a bit with a female archy. I still have the greatest respect for her knowledge and her help but like you she wasnt an acrobat on ladders. I never could see she got any better at it either but we never discussed it . I just helped her when I could . It was a job but someone needed to do it . <G>
I had a lady adjuster one time working with me working tornado damage . We climbed on 22 roofs and some attics. I wanted to marry her but we were both already married so I never asked her. <G> She was very good on ladders . You would look around and she would be up there waiting on me. Or comming down looking up at me on the ground. Pretty impressive. Yea well her too. LOL.
Of course they knew when a lady was on the job . I can smell one for a long ways .
The ladder thing is a balance thing . Thats it . You always want to counter balance your weight on a flimsy set of steps and thats what they amount to. They are counted on to carry our weight in centrifical force to the ground but not to any side except where its leaning . Its a lot like dancing carring your weight over your hips to make contact with the floor gracefully. Practice alone.
Tim
good advice - to practice alone. That way, when I fall and go boom, no one will have witnessed my lack of grace.
Ok...maybe not good to practice alone.
I'll practice where the neighbors can watch. Something has to keep them entertained, right? Instead of the "crazy cat lady" my neighborhood will have the "crazy ladder lady".
Oldfred has good advice concerning safety. I would add that having the ladder tied at the top, so it can't fall or be blown backwards is a real good idea. As he said (or maybe someone else said it) the ladder should extend three feet above the edge of whatever it leans against. But oldfred's advice about tying/staking the bottom of the ladder is real good advice. It's a real bummer to be going up or down a ladder and have the bottom slide out! And whoever mentioned extension ladders and your having to step in deeper after the part where the fly joins was right. Lastly--don't be in a hurry. Most of us could regale you with hours of entertaining and horrific stories about injuries and deaths on ladders!
"No wonder I like site visits so much!"
I obviously don't know you, so I have no idea just how exactly you meant that.
Women certainly don't show up on jobsites much. (At least around here) So they do create a stir.
When I have had occasion to deal with women, I always wonder what I'm up against. Some of them seem to think they have to be obnozious and pushy so men don't push them around.
Some seem to have a chip on their shoulder, like they're just LOOKING for a reason to be pissed off at any man that's around, since all men are obviously sexist pigs.
Some are really timid. And of course, a lot of them are just average people too.
Since men range from sexist pigds all the way up to wonderful guys like me, I guess you never know how you'll be treated when you walk onto a jobsite either. (-:
You can get a lot more done with a kind word and a gun than with a kind word alone.
I meant that in all honesty. I love going on site visits. I like seeing the job's progress and see things from a different point of view - as mine is typically more focused on the "look" of something when I'm sitting in the office.
I think I'm in your "average" woman category. I don't feel the need to be aggressive nor am I timid. I want to learn. The more I learn from my boss, school, or guys in the field the better I'll be at my career. We all know there's a million ways to do the same thing. Some take more/less money, some take more/less time, some positively/negatively impact the aesthetic. I want to be challenged and learn. I wouldn't have chosen this profession if I weren't interested in that. But thats my opinion.
As for men getting all excited, let them get excited. I find it pretty comical in a flattering sort of way. It is amazing how powerfully those guys communicate the woman signal without saying a single word or making a single noise. And somehow, it always becomes breaktime during my visits too. Or sweeping time....
No one has been stupid enough to verbalize something sexist....the day will come, I'm sure. maybe I should start thinking ahead about what I'm gonna do when that moment comes. Luckily, the guys I've dealt with have been respectful. Glad for the chance to oogle a woman a bit...but respectful.
Back in the day, our chief had a ladder drill for FNG's and regulars that were uneasy on ladders. 'Trainee' puts on turnout gear and helmet and scba tank and mask. Extension ladder to full extension, guyed by 4 men with ropes at top. One man holds base. 'Trainee' goes up one side, over the top, and back down. Rinse, lather, repeat.After that, no matter how insecure you felt on a ladder, you learned to never let it show. :)
>>>>guyed by 4 men with ropes at top<<<<How does it help to have 4 guys with rope up there at the top ? Seems the climbee would have an easier job balancing just himself, and not having to balance those 4 yahoos as well...;o)
The destination is not the point. The completion is not the point. Enjoy today. If you can't enjoy today, then what is the point ?
In college I knew a technician who had previously worked as a cable TV operator/repairman/bottle-washer. He was a wiry little guy, and he claimed that he had had a Lenny-like helper who could hold an extension ladder steady straight up while this tech climbed up it to work on a cable connection between poles. There were a couple of the other techs who were bullsnort artists, but not this guy, so I believed him.
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
I had done a job where I needed to get my pump jacks down and move on, I had just met Grant and he was there that day. Did about the same trick. I had no room due to bushes in the way so I had the ladder about straight up. He held it while I went up and unhooked the braces. I think he commented on how I managed to get them up there to begin with, alluding that I might be crazy.
He had me working for him about a week later...LOL that was 2 yrs ago. I am still crazy.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
You gotta be kidding me ..Jorge is @ what %? Now?
You sounds like a pretty good person to work with. Wish I ran across more people like you during the course of my work.
The Russians love Brooke Shields because her eyebrows remind them of Leonid Brezhnev. [Robin Williams]
>>"It is amazing how powerfully those guys communicate the woman signal without saying a single word or making a single noise. And somehow, it always becomes breaktime during my visits too. Or sweeping time....
You picking up any vibe here? (close to 40 posts on how to get up and down a ladder?)
[Why am I posting this? Has nothing to do with your original ques. Hmm . . . .] ;-)
"Let's get crack-a-lackin" --- Adam Carolla
Haha. Here I thought you all were just interested in preventing my untimely demise....
>>"Haha. Here I thought you all were just interested in preventing my untimely demise....
Well there is that. Archys who want to learn how what they draw actually gets built need to be preserved from any harm (maybe cloned even). Especially girl archys. ;-)
"Let's get crack-a-lackin" --- Adam Carolla
Edited 4/20/2006 9:33 am ET by philarenewal
Is it really that rare for an archy to want to know how things actually get built?
Did I just highjack my own thread?
I think it's a bit rare, plus the carps gotta have something to carp about, and archies are always a good target.Certainly a lot of archies go through school without ever getting much in the way of practical experience at the hammer and nail level. They're quite capable of drawing Escheresque plans that are essentially unbuildable. And other archies get caught up in the business end and all the glad-handing and have less and less time to spend on-site.Of course, I can say the same thing for injuniers, and I are one.But there are plenty of archies (and injuniers) who have lots of practical knowledge and like to "get their hands dirty" on-site. They'll tend to design stuff that easier to build and which goes together faster/cheaper, but if they work for a firm they won't get any credit for that (and if they work independently the contractor will always take the credit for how well things go).Remember, no one ever notices when things go RIGHT, only when they go wrong.
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
It would be a major stretch for me to say I'm out there pounding nails. But, I do enjoy seeing the process and having conversations with the carpenters. I'm always open for suggestions on how to do things in a better way. Hence the ladder thread.
Don't I know it, when things go right it could never be because the drawings were a good set. That could never play a role in the success. Never. It's always everyone else who did a good job.
>>"Is it really that rare for an archy to want to know how things actually get built?
Not knocking the archys. But some have you build fort knox then the engineers have you reinforce it little more. ;-)
Some actually think about how mere mortals actually build things and draw details than can actually be built.
Give you a recent example that maybe doesn't show exactly what I mean, but it's at the top of my head right now.
Working on getting a stamped set of plans for a rehab (SFR), one item is repair the (flat roof) framing and add a roof deck. Younger archy (not registered yet) does the initial drawings. Draws 16" OC 2x12 rafters for 15' span for the roof, two layers of 5/8" ply for the decking (sheathing? what would one call it for a flat roof?). On top of that, draws another set of 16"OC 2x12 PT joists for the roof deck (and he forgot to include blocking, but that's another issue).
When I spoke with him about it he started mumbling about deflection and having a stiff deck, etc. I had to point out that it would not be a piano storage deck up there. Also had to remind him that it would be me and my business partner doing the build and anything I didn't have to spend half a day carrying up to the roof would be time saved. (very narrow street, no crane, no way).
The RA, guy in his mid-fifties with many years under his belt, who stamped the plans, went with preserving as much existing framing as possible, reparing anything rotted with 4x8. Two layers of 5/8" ply on top of that and then either a deck membrane or roofing, sleepers and wood decking. Works for me.
>>"Did I just highjack my own thread?
You really need more on how to get up and down a ladder? ;-)
"Let's get crack-a-lackin" --- Adam Carolla
Edited 4/20/2006 11:26 am ET by philarenewal
woman or man this is an amazing site - but apparently we do coddle the fairer side more - shouldn't be any other waythink TRIGGER was getting at pulling the ladder away and letting it go / you want that baby to go back against wall / roof edge in same place to reveal to you that the base ( legs ) are set and balancedI think you should do that when you are approaching any ladder for the first time ( a very common time for a ladder to go "askew" is when someone dismounts on a roof - kicking or nudging ladder to right or left as one gains balance or hold so just cuz ladder is sitting there does not mean it is ready to climb )the worst cases I've had w/ ladders have been times when I've started to climb a ladder another person has set and maybe he was going up one rung and I was heading for the sky - just dumb luck has saved my bootieya practice & experience serve you best / don't get caught in machismo / have seen more than one experienced roofer seized by vertigo and have a rough time surmounting itbinoculars & zoom lens in your bag of tricks too
Here's an example from my side of the line:
I was on site yesterday (same one that I had to climb the ladder for) and the lead foreman was commenting on two doors that flank a fire place - one on each side of the fireplace. He was saying we could get bigger doors if we just moved the fireplace over and had the two doors be french doors, in essence. Which is true - that would make more space for bigger doors.
However, that fireplace position is established so that it is along a long visual axis. You can stand in front of it, see through a doorway into the dining room, through the dinning room to an opening into the living room, and you are looking dead center at the fireplace in the living room. I pointed that fact out to him and he said, "oh yeah. I guess I never realized that."
Just as Archys don't always think like the guys in the field, the guys in the field don't always think like archys.
And no, I don't need more advice on climbing ladders. The point is clearly taken that I better start practicing all of the good advice I've already received for the neighbors.
Just as Archys don't always think like the guys in the field, the guys in the field don't always think like archys.
Point taken. On the same building I was grousing about, I wanted to remove the front brick facade wall and replace it 'cause it has gained a little too much "character" for my taste over the years and my realtor recommended replacing it to get top price when time comes to sell (not quite straight and square anymore, but still structurally sound). Both archys just about wanted to tackle me to stop me from replacing it. I gave in on that one.
It does have a certain charm to it. ;-)
"Let's get crack-a-lackin" --- Adam Carolla
OK Jen, How about a picture of you on a ladder for all of use who don't get to take breaks on your sites? :0
Huh?
Ask her.
BTW, I'd like to see a pic too. A girl archy that wants to know how to build and isn't afraid of geting on the ladders. I think I'm in love. ;-)
"Let's get crack-a-lackin" --- Adam Carolla
As far as hands on rungs or rails, I ALWAYS look around for the local dog crap pile ( it IS there, you just have to KNOW it is) and remember that the last person probably didn't account for that pile, and walked it up each rung.
I am up a ladder 98% of my days at the job, and always grab the rails.
Now climbing scaffold is awhole differnt story.
We have been on scaffold or Boom lift for two weeks, I love that lift.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
You gotta be kidding me ..Jorge is @ what %? Now?
Alright on the picture, but in exchange, you better fill out some info in your profile.
> Is it really that rare for an archy to want to know how things actually get built?
Alas, yes. It would be a better world -- or at least a world with a better construction industry -- if more architects had your attitude. I've always thought it would be a great idea for architecture students to work their way thru school doing construction in the summer.
-- J.S.
Yeah, but then they'd discover how rich you can get doing construction, and there'd be no architects.
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
are you kidding me? By the time I'm done with school, I'll have student loans the size of a small house mortgage to pay off. What have I been doing in school all this time?
Jen, don't climb substandard ladders. You probably shouldn't climb a type III or lower even if it's new.
You shouldn't climb a ladder that isn't at the proper angle. A good 50% of the workers on a construction site don't know what the proper angle is. That means that you are probably climbing a poorly set up ladder 50% of the time!
Hanging onto the rungs gives you greater clutchability if you slip.
Getting started on the ladder atthe top is the hardest. Osha requires the ladder to be 3' up above the roof, but I find that to be hard for me to mount. I prefer to start down the ladder from directly above the ladder, so my weight and balace is properly centered, at the instant I touch the rungs. I won't project a ladder 3' for me.
The one other thing I might suggest is yoga. If your overall balance is weak, you will always have a hard time on ladders. The guys in the field normally have a lot of strength built up in their legs to maintain balance and this helps in the task of ladder work.
Don't try to see where your feet are landing. That changes your center of gravity and makes the descent wobbly instead of smooth.
Don't hesitate to acknowledge your inablity on ladders. Don't be a whiny bit ch about it, but it's okay to say something like "I'm not good on ladders, so cut me some slack". That means, don't let someone climb directly behind you (two on a ladder). Don't climb over cords or hoses that are drapped on it. Don't climb a ladder that isn't properly seated on the bottom and tied off at the top. Familiarize yourself with proper ladder set up and insist on OHSA conformance. Just tell the foreman that your insurance doesn't cover you for improper ladder setup and be prepared to recite the exact language word for word.
If you climb a sturdy Type IA ladder that is properly set up, you'll feel a lot safer.
Now, since I was so nice to use, you owe me one favor: close all dimension strings!
blue
one thing I haven't seen addressed is who's raising the ladder? or are you going to a site where the ladder is already up? and also how high up are you going? one/two/three stories?
ProBozo brought up ways of building confidence - we use a pompier ladder going 6-7 stories - stop at each window and lean back with your arms out - actually a lot of funmain thing is being comfortable and climbing at your own rate - stick with 1A ladders, if you're not comfortable, have some one "foot" the ladder while you climb, might want to "jump" on the bottom rung when you first get on - the rails/beams/feet get driven into the dirt a little better
just some thoughts - good luck
Most of the time the ladder is already there and up. It is also typically in contact with flat surfaces and I am climbing the ladder to get to an upper/lower floor before they have constructed stairs. So I'm only going up or down one level.
However, simply because a ladder is there doesn't mean it is properly set. For example, now that I know about the 75 degree angle rule, I am pretty certain the ladder I climbed the other day wasn't at that angle. I also should have insisted the guy move all the air hoses out of my way. I shouldn't have been such a girl about not wanting to be called a girl. I should have just told him to move them.
I comprehend that ladders have different ratings....however, I don't know anything about said rating system. I assume there should be a label on the ladder so I know what it is rated?
The ladder the other day was an excellent ladder. I remember thinking, as I was climbing it, that it was a more stable ladder in comparison to the one a week ago. The one this week looked like....hmm...molded plastic or maybe fiberglass is a better description. I can't really remember, but I think the one last week might have been wood. Actually, as I think about it more, it was 2x4's nailed together to make a ladder.
In both of these instances, there was a nice side approach in order to go downward. Picture a square opening in the floor, the ladder was positioned in one of the corners so you could get onto the ladder as you were standing beside it. Make sense? Anyway, these approaches were very helpful to me.
If you're going from "one floor" to the next, the ladder could be secured at both the top and the bottom - tied off at the top and blocked at the feet into the deck - no slippage - having it off-set to one side should let you get even with the deck and then step off - anything in the way, just move (better to apologize later than be denied permission)got this from google for ladder ratings:Ladder Ratings
There are four industry-standard load-capacity ratings for ladders, no matter what material they are made out of. The higher the rating is, the sturdier the ladder will be in use, and also, typically, the more expensive it will be.Type III, Light Duty / Household Use (200 pound load capacity): The lightest rating, intended for short ladders that will be used very infrequently and for very light-duty work.
Type II, Medium Duty, Commercial Use (225 pound load capacity): For light duty use around the house -- painting, cleaning, light repairs.
Type I, Heavy Duty, Industrial Use (250 pound load capacity): Good all around rating for household or commercial use. Sturdy enough for just about any use.
Type IA, Extra Heavy Duty/Professional Use (300 pound load capacity): The highest rating. Very sturdy, and designed for rugged use in any capacity on commercial or industrial sites.making ladders/steps on site is probably okay as long as the guy making it is the first one up and established the "weight limit" - what liability there is is beyond me (OHSA, building inspector, insurance???? - any comments???)hope this helps
Just to add, there ARE Type IAA for extra large types, good for 325, I think. We get all this type for our plant to cover when big people climb the ladder carrying heavy items.
Lefty - Lurker without an attitude or a clue
I have always come down a ladder facing outward, as you would on stairs. My dad made me do it when I apprenticed as a mason.
Most people don't like it, but I find it to be safer, since I can see where I am going. It also works well if you have to carry soemthing down, especially if you need to use two hands (brick tongs!). If I start to loose balance, I just sit back and catch myself. Finally, I can come down a heck of a lot faster.
This may or may not be good advice for you - jsut sharing my own expereince.
Good luck and keep safe.
TTF
Most of the important ladder safety stuff has been mentioned, having it tied off and on something solid and level. The one I'll add is the 75 degree angle. Stand facing the ladder with your toe touching the bottom of a rail, and reach straight out with your hand. You should be able to grab the ladder without leaning forward or bending your elbow. Too steep and it can fall backwards, not steep enough and you're putting more load on it than it's designed for. It's just like increasing the run of a rafter and decreasing the rise to keep the same length. The span goes up.
Ladders are supposed to have a certain amount of twang and bounce to them. They'd break or damage the wall if they didn't. Getting used to that is just a matter of practice.
Go ahead and be a stickler for ladder safety on your jobs. You might make some enemies that way, but so be it. You'll also make some friends. And the good news is that your friends will live longer than your enemies. ;-)
-- J.S.
that is a good rule to impart on me. The ladder I used today was probably steeper.
Nothing like a bouncy ladder to make a girl feel even more out of her element. Now that I know it is ok for it to bounce a bit, I won't have to start thinking about what I ate for breakfast that morning.
It may have been mentioned here somewhere, but I didn't see it:
Shoes are an important factor.
First off you need a sole that's stiff enough that the ridges in the rungs aren't leaving imprints on the bottoms of your feet. The sole should, ideally, be "lightly lugged" -- with a bit of knobby texture but not mega lugs that will get hung up on a rung. On the other hand, especially when getting on at the top, a touch of flexibility is the sole and ankle is needed.
Definitely don't climb a regular extension ladder in ordinary dress shoes. And don't even attempt a stepladder with heels.
Getting on at the top is a PITA, no matter what. It helps if the ladder is secured somehow, or someone is holding it, and it's really scary if the ladder isn't ideally situated -- too steep, tipsy, not up against something substantial.
Keep in mind that you can and should refuse to use any ladder that isn't reasonably placed and firmly resting on a solid surface both at top and bottom. Sometimes it may be up to you to set the standard for safety. Plus, what'er they gonna do if you object, call you a girl?
Good to mention shoes. Never occured to me that someone might actually try wearing heels to a jobsite. Most jobsites I go to have mud. There's no way I'm sacrificing my favorite heels for anything.
I should have made them move some cords for their nail guns today. Instead, I sucked it up and kind of stepped over them on my way up and down the ladder. See? I guess I was afraid of being called a girl.
That said, I wouldn't have done it if I truly felt my life was in danger. However, it was a cord in my path that should not have been there. No doubt the path was less safe. I guess I should have chalked it up and let them call me a girl.
Don't know if it has been mentioned, but for safety always maintain 3 pionts of contact (2 hands, 1 foot or 2 feet 1 hand).
Mike
Trust in God, but row away from the rocks.
Many good suggestions. To add one, don't climb or descend trying to keep yourself close to or "hugging" the ladder. Keep your arms slightly bent but extended. You are creating a tork action at your feet that is forcing the bottom of the ladder in, which you want.
Jen,
My wife is a trooper. She'll work by my side on most jobs. Then I set up ladder jacks and ladders. !!!! We decided I would do all the work above ground level and she would work below.
She works at customer service now and I have a new partner that can brave the heights.
You've gotten some of the best advice you can get right here I applauded you guys for keeping it professional, except of course for the skirt ref, but what can you expect---