8mm Forum: BE CAREFUL

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Topic: BE CAREFUL

Hugh Thompson Scott
Film God

Posts: 3063
From: Gt. Clifton,Cumbria,England
Registered: Jan 2012

posted August 13, 2013 03:03 PM

This has nothing what so ever to do with film, but the other day,
one of the flat roofs on this property needed re-pitching, so I put
up one of my sets of wooden ladders, put the 25 ltr tin on my shoulder, and climbed till halfway, when the ladder broke, luckily,
being a wooden ladder, it gave a warning, so I had time to make
a hasty retreat. One of my collegues wasn't as lucky, he fell from
the peak of his house some years back, and suffered serious damage, his were aluminium ladders that just folded up. My point is, wooden ladders give a warning, metal doesn't. The
same applied in coal mines. where the oak props groaned, but
the steel "Dowty props" didn't, they just collapsed.
I was again fortunate, having fell off two and through one in my life, So
for all you guys out there, go for WOODEN ladders for your DIY
they tend to be more expensive, but it IS worth the extra.
I wish you all safe repairs.

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Graham Ritchie
Film God

Posts: 4001
From: New Zealand
Registered: Feb 2006

posted August 13, 2013 05:14 PM

Hugh

Glad you escaped ok...I dislike aluminium ladders, they are lethal. I totally agree regarding the wooden ones...much more stable.

Graham.

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Pasquale DAlessio
Film God

Posts: 3523
From: Bristol,RI, USA
Registered: May 2010

posted August 13, 2013 05:17 PM

DITTO!

PatD

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Flavio Stabile
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 707
From: Roma, Italia
Registered: Feb 2005

posted August 14, 2013 04:08 AM

Hi Hugh,
I'm happy you were lucky in this situation...

Indeed here in Italy I can't find wooden ladders since years now... Only aluminum ones can be found.
I think, as usual, it depends quite often by the quality of used materials... I wouldn't be so countrary to the metal ladders.

Flavio

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Hugh Thompson Scott
Film God

Posts: 3063
From: Gt. Clifton,Cumbria,England
Registered: Jan 2012

posted August 16, 2013 08:56 AM

Thankyou Graham, Pat and Flavio for your concern, I was just
alerting our members to the dangers of ladder work. I usually keep
the wooden ones oiled with linseed, but old age does eventually set in with the best of care.Flavio, if you have to do any regular
work off a ladder, I would seriously consider importing a wooden set, as Graham and myself know, the alloy ones are NOT to be
trusted, WOOD gives warning.Thanks again my friends.

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Bruce Wright
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 140
From: Denham Springs, La.
Registered: Oct 2011

posted August 16, 2013 03:19 PM

I have used metal ladders for many years with no problems.
BUT I do use the professional grade. Here, ladders can be purchased in three grades--generel use-- commercial--or
professional. Most people will not pay the high cost of the
professional grade. And that is sad (stupid). Also the power
lines to my home are underground. Being a 'Ham' operator the cost was well worth it. Nothing against wood. Get a good ladder.
It's your life. Bruce.

--------------------
Bruce Wright

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Hugh Thompson Scott
Film God

Posts: 3063
From: Gt. Clifton,Cumbria,England
Registered: Jan 2012

posted August 16, 2013 05:15 PM

Bruce, that is exactly my point, my trade is a lot of height work,
so getting the best to work from, is paramount to safety.I have
been lucky in my years, but the odds reduce, please take care
of yourselves on ladder work, I ADVISE WOOD, it creaks before
a break, giving you time to descend, metal just folds, no warning.
Please be aware on ladders.

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Bryan Chernick
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 654
From: Bothell, WA, USA
Registered: Mar 2010

posted August 20, 2013 11:49 AM

I work for a contractor and we only use fiberglass ladders. They are much stronger than wood and aluminum. When a company puts it's employees in a dangerous situation where they can be injured you're better off with the best available equipment.

Personally I have an aluminum ladder that works fine but I don't have to go very high with my one story house. If you don't need a ladder very often rather than paying big bucks for a good one and taking up space to store it you may be better off renting one, it doesn't cost very much.

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Desmond Godwin
Film Handler

Posts: 75
From: Ireland
Registered: Apr 2011

posted August 21, 2013 02:46 PM

I know its kinda off topic reading these treads on DIY, but it is an important issue when using ladders.Just finished painting round my house (well its the weather for it) The aluminium ladders i purchased 5yrs ago are rated as pro-grade and i never had any problems with them. I have a few ancor points round the hse and once the ladder is up i shackle it to an ancor point I always wear a full body harness. Im not great on heights but wearing the harness certainly gives peace of mind.
[Smile]

Desmond

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