8mm Forum: BE CAREFUL

This is topic BE CAREFUL in forum General Yak at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Hugh Thompson Scott (Member # 2922) on 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.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on 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.

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on August 13, 2013, 05:17 PM:

DITTO!

PatD

Posted by Flavio Stabile (Member # 357) on 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

Posted by Hugh Thompson Scott (Member # 2922) on 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.

Posted by Bruce Wright (Member # 2793) on 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.

Posted by Hugh Thompson Scott (Member # 2922) on 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.

Posted by Bryan Chernick (Member # 1998) on 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.

Posted by Desmond Godwin (Member # 2530) on 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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