ladder safety

[Jeeper]

Got a question for everyone. I moved recently to a two story house and I'd like to be able to get up on the roof. What are the best techniques from getting onto a roof from an extension ladder? To me it always seems "iffy" getting from the ladder to the room so i am curious to see what you all do.

 

[67 455 Bird ragtop]

I have always been of the mindset that the ladder needs to be 2-3 rungs higher than the roof. Then you can just walk right up the ladder then step off onto the roof. Same when coming down. But I also always have a spotter just to be safe.

Just my .02

 

[russlaferrera]

I have always been of the mindset that the ladder needs to be 2-3 rungs higher than the roof. Then you can just walk right up the ladder then step off onto the roof. Same when coming down. But I also always have a spotter just to be safe.

Just my .02

I agree with ragtop. My fear was getting back onto the ladder from the roof. The spotter was there to secure the bottom of the ladder from any movement. Knowing the ladder could not move made it easier. Do not wear leather shoes on a roof. They are unsafe.

 

[JohnZ]

My roof is 12/12 pitch - you'll never see me on it!

 

[CycloneISU]

The key is to know your ladder try to keep to a 4 to 1 ratio from the roof with your ladder. If you going to have the feet in the mud then make sure you turn your cleats down. If it is on solid ground than make sure your rubber on the feet are clean.

 

[airrj]

2-3 rungs higher than the roof.

That is how we do it in the Fire Service whenever possible. Even 4 rungs if you have the ladder to do it. It gives you something to hang onto.

A good working angle is important as mentioned. If you stand on the bottom rung and stretch your arms out straight and hang onto a rung you should be standing up straight. This usually about the 4:1 ratio.

Another small thing that helps is to hang onto the beams of the ladder instead of hanging on to the rungs. If you move your hands from rung to rung you have less contact with the ladder than if you hang onto each beam and just slide your hands up the sides.

And lastly having a spotter is really good if you are not used to climbing.

Good Luck and take your time.
R.J.

 

[6768rogues]

As stated above, proper angle of ladder to the ground. Also, make sure you put the ladder on solid ground; having a leg sink in while you are on it is no fun. OSHA requires 2 or 3 (can't remember which) rungs above the roof. If you have a gutter, strap the ladder to it. It ***** when it blows over while you are on the roof.
One of my friends had a brand new ladder and was checking a roof in a bad part of Rochester, NY. Someone stole his ladder and he spent the rest of the day on the roof trying to get someone to send help.

 

[boiler7904]

OSHA says 3 rungs above the leading edge. 4 or 5 is better.

Always have 3 points of contact when using a ladder - either both feet and one hand or one foot and both hands at all times.

Getting on a second story roof will take getting used to so practice is the best answer.

If there isn't a way to tie off your ladder, take your cell phone or cordless phone on the roof with you. Murphy's law says the ladder will fall over or get stolen if you don't.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Good advice, every last one, follow them and you will have no problems.

 

[kbs2244]

You see construction guys all the time not going above the gutter with a ladder.
But that is because they do not want to dent the gutters. I shudder every time I watch them on their belly at the edge trying to find the ladder with their feet hanging over the edge.
If this is your house and you are going to be doing the same ladder in the same place, get a good set of those spread out ladder supports and mount them on the ladder. They will both make it steadier at the top and hold it off the gutters.
At 2 stories up, I like to stake the bottom with a rope wrapped around the botton rung and tent stakes. That and a quick wrap with a 3 foot pice of cotton cord around a gutter support at the top will keep it in place.
(Not nylon cord. It is too slippery and the knot will come undone. Cheap cotton closeline.)
But 20 feet is a long drop. Keep somebody around to watch you.

 

[rburke65]

The safest way I know of is with one of these......
http://www.brownswelding.com/manlift2.jpg

 

[tatra]

^^^^^^^^^now we're talking^^^^^^^^^^^
make sure the ladder you do buy , you will be able to handle............ give some serious thought to storage of it also............ and security of it also. be a b----- to come home and find thieves used your own equipment to rip you off. and don't lend it out.............. it's amazing what inventiveness ppl. come up with for uses of a ladder.

 

[Bevis]

That is how we do it in the Fire Service whenever possible. Even 4 rungs if you have the ladder to do it. It gives you something to hang onto.

A good working angle is important as mentioned. If you stand on the bottom rung and stretch your arms out straight and hang onto a rung you should be standing up straight. This usually about the 4:1 ratio.

Another small thing that helps is to hang onto the beams of the ladder instead of hanging on to the rungs. If you move your hands from rung to rung you have less contact with the ladder than if you hang onto each beam and just slide your hands up the sides.

And lastly having a spotter is really good if you are not used to climbing.

Good Luck and take your time.
R.J.

Exactly what I was going to say... and sometimes I will even tie off the ladder, if I have a good anchor point.

 

[6768rogues]

Personally, I like fiberglass ladders with D shaped rungs. They are reasonably light, last for years, are non-conductive, and the D shaped rungs are easier on your feet.

 

[autoclassicnut]

Here's what not to do....Gotta love 'em for their efforts.....

 

[Kevin54]

OSHA says 3 rungs above the leading edge. 4 or 5 is better.

Whan standing on a ladder facing the roof and your feet is even with the gutter you should / want to be able to stand straight up and still have your hands straight out from you at the top of the ladder. You don't want to have to be bent over getting off or onto the ladder.

 

[67 455 Bird ragtop]

Here's what not to do....Gotta love 'em for their efforts.....

I LOVE THOSE!!!!

 

[sjsfire]

That is how we do it in the Fire Service whenever possible. Even 4 rungs if you have the ladder to do it. It gives you something to hang onto.

A good working angle is important as mentioned. If you stand on the bottom rung and stretch your arms out straight and hang onto a rung you should be standing up straight. This usually about the 4:1 ratio.

Another small thing that helps is to hang onto the beams of the ladder instead of hanging on to the rungs. If you move your hands from rung to rung you have less contact with the ladder than if you hang onto each beam and just slide your hands up the sides.

And lastly having a spotter is really good if you are not used to climbing.

Good Luck and take your time.
R.J.

Good advise!! Being retired from the fire service I was just about to post the same thing.

 

[airrj]

Ok, don't try this at home, but this is the fun way to go down a ladder!!!

This is the last ditch method that we are taught for getting out of a room when you have 2 seconds to get out or be baked to death. This photo is in training, so he is tied into a safety line with an instructor in place as well.

If you do it really well, it will only take about 3 seconds to get from inside the second story to the ground. Kind of a controlled speedy decent.

Back to the real topic; Ladder rating does help your confidence level allot as well. Type IA are usually more stable feeling than a lesser grade. I am spoiled with fire service ladders because they are rated to 750 lbs. Get the highest rated that you can afford.

R.J.

 

[bmwpower]

I've used ladder mitts to protect siding and keep the ladder from slipping on the siding. I've used the wide support kind, too.

These look interesting:

The internet is full of these:

 

[Kevin54]

If you do it really well, it will only take about 3 seconds to get from inside the second story to the ground. Kind of a controlled speedy decent.

And if you do it really, really well, your *** is on the ground before you know what hit you. Kind of an UNcontrolled speedy decent

One thing that we learn in ladder safety (yes ladder safety training and I am a toolmaker) is that one hand should be on the ladder AT ALL TIMES. Every factory has safety training and this is one of the things they now teach.

 

[nissan_crawler]

On our grain bins and the eave of my parents house, we had lag bolts placed here and there, and a short piece of chain on the ladder to clip to them. Yeah, you had to walk up to attach it, but you hooked it before stepping off, and got back on it before you unhooked it. It kept you from kicking it off, or having it fall.

My house is a single story, so I use this:

I like being able to kick the top part of the ladder over and not lean against the gutters, gives it a really solid feel.