OT (sort of) Do you know how to climb a ladder?

"Simon Isaacs" wrote.............

Errrm.........don't tell me....... That's what really happened?

So we've got Nelson to blame for the mess we're now in?

Might have known he'd turn out to be a poof.

Martin

Personally speaking......

Lizzy

On or around Tue, 14 Aug 2007 10:25:16 +0100, Ian Rawlings enlightened us thusly:

well, aye. There again - I could teach "how to use a ladder" in 5 minutes, provided I had a ladder to demonstrate with. That really is simple stuff, and there're only really 3 things you need to know:

*Ground firm and ladder supported level (if necessary, pack under one side to make it firm/level), *ladder leaning on something solid enough to support the weight of ladder and person standing on it, (not a plastic gutter or a window pane),

• Ladder at correct angle - it's marked on a lot of newer ones anyway, but something close to 4:1 height:reach is what I was told - so if you're going

10' up a wall, the base of the ladder should be 2'6" from the bottom of the wall. Strictly, measured from contact point vertically downwards and then out.

• ladder long enough - if it's projecting over the support point, it should ideally do so by about 2 or 3 rungs - if it's against a wall, it should go about 5 or 6 rungs higher than you intend to work. Never stand on the top of a ladder with no other support.

As for climbing it - same as rock climbing, ideally, maintain 3 points of contact - although you see experienced blokes stroll up a ladder carrying a bucket in one hand and a hod of bricks on the other shoulder without holding on at all...

Last year I was trying to get in as a volunteer fireman, on account that all the volunteers here are farmers and hence busy in the summer hols, so service takes a hit, being a teacher I could fill that gap! Passed all the tests except the colour blindness one :-(

One of the tests was a height test, had to climb 60 ft up a ladder and lock yourself in and lean back and look at the ground. Fireservice climb ladders a different way to normal folks in that you move the left leg and left arm together, and then right arm and leg. Avoids setting up a nasty wobble wehn climbing quickly. I now use that technique (takes some getting used to) and find it much safer than the normal right arm left leg as there is less bounce on a long ladder.

-- "For those who are missing Blair - aim more carefully."

To reply direct rot13 me

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