ladders

[marter]

Ok heres the deal i have done commercial HVAC for about a year, i enjoyed it and want to get back to it (doing maintenance work right now, and tired of fixing the same stuff every day)

only thing holding me back is ladders, i hate heights im better at them now then i was. I always tie them off with a rubber strap, Im 6'4 and size 13/14 boots still i get nervous..

So what im asking is there anything you use to help you feel more comfortable, esp on those pony walls where there a 2 or 3 foot jump to the roof line.

i know a ladder is rated for 200, 250 and so on pounds but really how strong are they, sometimes i cant shake the fact the ladder will somehow snap it two lol

going from an alum. to fiberglass ladder helped alot.

[erc tech]

Well I'm a tall young'un to, with big feet's. fiber ladders are very strong. wernner makes a yellow in color ladder called a rino. Rated at 350lbs. I have one on the van and love it.Need to keep'um out of the uv ray's if you can, Like hauling them on top of the van year round. Next use both hands and look toward the ladder, 75% of it is between your ears (IF) its stationed on steady ground. And its very wise to tie the top off.

[absrbrtek]

Osha regulations redquire the ladder to be 3 rungs above the roof line off the top of my head. If your climbing 2' and 3' up to the roof line from the top of the ladder, expect to get hurt in the future. Don't do it!!!! JMHO.

[Milk man]

Osha regulations redquire the ladder to be 3 rungs above the roof line off the top of my head. If your climbing 2' and 3' up to the roof line from the top of the ladder, expect to get hurt in the future. Don't do it!!!! JMHO.

"expect to get hurt in the future"

I like the way you put this.

[amickracing]

I've had a 24' ladder all the way up, and as I stood on the top rung the top of the roof (flat roof) was just above my waist. Getting up wasn't so bad, but getting down was an act of stupidity!

I'm kind of a big boy, 6' 240. I've never had any fiberglass ladders break and I've seen a LOT of load put on them. I did have an aluminum one fold up on me though, I was around 6' off the ground when it happened.... landed on my feet! then ass... then back... then head.... lol

Just make sure it's set up nice and stable, tied off if at all possible and plenty long enough and you should be fine.

I used to hate heights when I started doing this... now I don't mind them at all... you get used to it.

[y7turbo]

just do it. After the first day you will get over it. we use 28ft fiberglass ladders everyday, today i had to use a 40ft fiberglass. I didnt like it, but i got over it after the first time i went up.

[william antley]

Me and heights don't get along either. I set and use a 28 ft. extension several times a day when there is no other path to the rooftop.(Thank GOD for indoor roof ladders and hatches!) I've had more than one get out from under me when climbing onto the roof, have had to climb down over a parapet wall to get to the roof and have had ladders fold under me, I know what you're dealing with.
I always tie off my ladder at the top but it's still not easy even knowing the ladder isn't going anywhere just yet. You do get to where you can handle it, it just takes a few trips up and down.
Dealing with climbing down over parapet walls, I will tie a 4 or 6 ft. stepladder to a rope and haul it up to set on the other side. It's not easy but I can do it safely and haven't had any trouble, yet. Just have to maintain the balance and I loop the rope over the top rung for some support as I ease it up and over. Being 6'-4", 265 lbs and being able to carry 7.5 ton compressors on my shoulder like they're not there helps too. Don't like having to haul ladders up like that but, you know what we get into.

[marter]

Being 6'-4", 265 lbs and being able to carry 7.5 ton compressors on my shoulder like they're not there helps too. Don't like having to haul ladders up like that but, you know what we get into.

If it wont fit in my pocket or on my tool belt, it comes up attached to a rope, i don't think ill ever be that comfortable, doing some research i found that the ladder has to be able to handle twice its rated load, wonder if thats true

One time i went on a PM with another tech that had the 40ft fiberglass, hes the only one that did that inspection and its the only service that needs a 40ft. I got to the top, and on the roof i looked back and my knees where back on the ground, hes the only one that did that PM and it'll say that way, i told the boss "never again"

[subzerori]

If my 28 footer doesn't get me there I won't be going there. I plate in my neck after surgery and tingling fingers I am just not as sure handed as I used to be. I used to go up the 40's no problem but now, problem!!! Went to an OSHA class and the instructor said that a 60' ext ladder was approved. Who in the %$#@$%# would go up that. I have been on a 40 fighting with a line set and the ladder was moving side to side in the center. I guess the older we get the less chances we like to take.

[william antley]

If it wont fit in my pocket or on my tool belt, it comes up attached to a rope, i don't think ill ever be that comfortable, doing some research i found that the ladder has to be able to handle twice its rated load, wonder if thats true

My statement in your quote was just an idea of how it's not a problem for me to pull up an additional ladder with a rope should the need arise. Regardless of "ease", being as big as I am I pull everything up with a rope cause my weight and the weight of what I'd carry would exceed the ladder's label rating eventhough ladders are rather underrated.

[hearthman]

The rating on ladders is 1/4th their actual breaking strength. This x4 factor is a std. in the safety industry.

Sounds like a few of you need to read up on your OSHA regs.

If you need super duty ladders, get a fire dept. ladder from Alco-Lite, who invented the aluminum ladder in Florence, SC.

FYI, OSHA requires 3 feet--not rungs above the point of contact with the roof and the base extends out 1 foot for every 4 ft vertical as measured plumb from the point of contact. If there is an overhang, then measure from the drip line. Or, just use the firefighter's trick to setting a ladder:
with your toes at the ladder heels and your arms extended horizontally, you should be able to grab a rung with your arms level. This gives you that magical 75 degree OSHA/ IFSTA 4:1 angle.

fiberglass ladders are heavier per duty rating. Just because it is fiberglass, don't get careless around power lines. You can still get zapped with a fiberglass ladder.

Use a 32' ladder for most 2 story houses. To access hatches, try a Telesteps or Xtendclimb ladder.

When you're jumping from a pony wall to a roof, just remind yourself you are taking this risk for how much per hour??? Your safety is the boss's problem. If it takes a cherry picker or something else then they should have bid it into the job.

You only have one life and one neck. Don't waste them. Follow the safety rules. If your boss tries to force you into doing something you can prove is against OSHA, refuse the act and call OSHA immediately. There are Whistle Blower laws to protect employees who report hazards.

HTH,
Hearthman

HTH,
Hearthman