Ladder Saftey... - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

Resiguy · 04-21-2009, 12:18 PM

I'm curious to everone's thought's on the subject.

480sparky · 04-21-2009, 12:34 PM

"Don't fall down" pretty much covers it.

Seriously, OSHA 1926 is what you need.

Resiguy · 04-21-2009, 12:35 PM

...am I a "wimp" for not standing on the top step of an 'A' fame ladder?

480sparky · 04-21-2009, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resiguy

...am I a "wimp" for not standing on the top step of an 'A' fame ladder?

So. You're saving your boss, as well as yourself, a 4-digit fine.

Resiguy · 04-21-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 480sparky

So. You're saving your boss, as well as yourself, a 4-digit fine.

That's how I think of it, but that doesn't seem to be the mentality of the groups I have worked with.

Noe · 04-21-2009, 01:12 PM

Stick to your guns and good judgement on that one Resiguy!

That was mentality of a lot of people here for a long time until the boss' son fell off a ladder doing just that. Now it is pet peeve of all the bosses.

480sparky · 04-21-2009, 01:22 PM

The world is full of Darwin Award winners!

Resiguy · 04-21-2009, 03:07 PM

I've been ridiculed for not standing on the stop step more than once. And even actually been told that "we electricians have to do that".

Seems a that few guys understand my point, but most have the attitude where they hate the co-workers that don't like the high ****.
Sorry, but I ain't risking my life for any job.

Buddha In Babylon · 04-21-2009, 04:02 PM

Dude no way, you're not a "wimp" or other such adjective, and i'm sure that's not all you've been called. Have those fools ever fallen off a ladder before? Ever broke any bones? Ever had to go home with a dict up limb or joint because the ladder they were on wasn't exactly sufficient for the job? Don't ever feel bad or anything else negative for working safely. Fact is, That osha regulation referenced above isn't just for shiz and giggles. A lot of construction workers hate osha and don't believe in the cause man, but it's there for a reason and saves lives. Tell your asshole co-workers that.

BiB

480sparky · 04-21-2009, 04:35 PM

I'd rather be old and called a 'wimp' than be dead and called 'macho'.

Mr. Sparkle · 04-21-2009, 04:50 PM

Your boss and anyone that tells you that you have to do that kind of stuff is a straight up clown, I bet ol' boss will be the first one to deny deny deny if you get hurt doing that on the job. Matter of fact most cellphones have video, you should record yourself handing him the OSHA paperwork as you tell him what it is and why you are giving it to him.

These are the same clowns that tell you you have to work on stuff live because "The computer can't shut down, or they cant lose phones" or whatever....Look for a new boss, don't wait until something happens because it wont be if, it will be when.

A builder I know watched a young electrician die right in front of him because things "Could not be powered down."

Like Forrest said: "Stupid is as stupid does."

Sparky, I love that site. I have spent hours there....

Resiguy · 04-21-2009, 05:18 PM

Thanks guys. I'm feeling much better about this now. I wish that I didn't have that fear but that's just how it is with me.

How many of you have ever gotten a 'look' when you told your foreman that the ladder you are using isn't quite tall enough? Guess I've only had three or four now in about 10 years but it still bugs me.

LawnGuyLandSparky · 04-21-2009, 05:41 PM

NEVER allow barvado or machismo to stand between YOU and your WELL BEING.

I once told a similar-thinking foreman "If you ever suggest that I risk my own safety for your convenience, I will not hesitate, even in a debilitated, wheelchair -bound state, to put a f**King bullet through your head." I was NEVER asked to risk my own personal safety again.

Resiguy · 04-21-2009, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LawnGuyLandSparky

NEVER allow barvado or machismo to stand between YOU and your WELL BEING.

I once told a similar-thinking foreman "If you ever suggest that I risk my own safety for your convenience, I will not hesitate, even in a debilitated, wheelchair -bound state, to put a f**King bullet through your head." I was NEVER asked to risk my own personal safety again.

Now that's funny!

Although to a point I can understand why I was expected to work like that. First it isn't common for a union (resi) contractor to have their foreman carry bigger than a 16' 'A' ladder on their vans. 16' fiberglass ladders are heavy and bulky enough as it is, so most foreman actually prefer to carry a 14.
The is plenty of the 'shorter guys' that have no fear of standing on the top of taller ladders.
The one time I was asked I think part of it was my boss just trying to pull rank on me.
Another time I was told in very nice way saying, "I'm just trying to help you, someday you might be working alone, then what are you going to do?" I told him I'd just quit the friggin job if he didn't get me a bigger ladder.

Black4Truck · 04-21-2009, 06:22 PM

Standing on the top step on any ladder is not macho.. just plain stupid. You can fall once and spend a lifetime in a wheelchair. Who would pay your bills or give you aid 24/7?? I have seen people fall off a curb and wind up with back problems that leave them in constant pain. You get one body.. how you respect it is your business.. don't be a fool

steelersman · 04-21-2009, 07:00 PM

I personally will stand on the top of a 6' ladder or the second to the top step of pretty much any ladder as long as I feel that it's sturdy and safe. Where I work though you can't get away with that too much because of all of the safety personel that are present. I would never expect anyone else to do anything like that, or make fun of them if they didn't feel comfortable doing it. That's my opinion.

manchestersparky · 04-21-2009, 07:30 PM

Be smart and don't mind what the others are saying!
Do not work unsafe.
I have an ankle that the doctors want to do a "controlled Break" on , then surgically put it back together. I've been dealing with it for the last 19 years.
Pain,swelling, stiffness and it will give out at the blink of an eye. I swear I can trip on a dime laying on the sidewalk because of that ankle.
How did I destroy my ankle?
I was standing on the top of a 4' ladder reaching out to get a measurement and the ladder twisted and down I went. I limped for 6 months and have had nothing but problems from it for 19 years now
Thats one of the reasons I turned to doing inspections

Jeff000 · 04-21-2009, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Sparkle

These are the same clowns that tell you you have to work on stuff live because "The computer can't shut down, or they cant lose phones" or whatever....Look for a new boss, don't wait until something happens because it wont be if, it will be when.

A builder I know watched a young electrician die right in front of him because things "Could not be powered down."

I have been asked to work on live before, never told though. I have always been told over and over that if I dont feel comfortable doing it then a planned shut down of the system will be done early or late the next day.
I always use insulated tools rubber palmed dry gloves, and take my time.

Ladders, I'll stand on the top of a 4', and the stop step of a 6 no problem most of the time. But then again I like to straddle the 6' and 8' ladders too. It all depends what I am doing and where.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resiguy

How many of you have ever gotten a 'look' when you told your foreman that the ladder you are using isn't quite tall enough?

He went and had a taller ladder ordered, 16' A frame, the 14' was a bit too short.

Quote:

Originally Posted by manchestersparky

I was standing on the top of a 4' ladder reaching out to get a measurement and the ladder twisted and down I went.

Reaching out too far from any step is stupid. Kid I worked with did the same as you, but on the 2nd rung of a 12' ladder. Hit his knee on something and took him out of work for a couple weeks. He is fine now as far as I know though.
But you can not simply blame your incident on standing on the top step.

leland · 04-21-2009, 10:01 PM

I'm no 'sider but...... This don't look safe.

redbeard43 · 04-21-2009, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leland

I'm no 'sider but...... This don't look safe.

well this is safe because the one guy is holding the ladder for the other...