[Elephante]

My boss doesn't want to buy a bigger ladder or scaffolding so we have to climb all the way up...I use to feel a lot more comfortable doing it, not anymore.. Do you guys go all the way up? I told him the other day I am not going up there without the right height ladder... I use to do dumb crap when told, but who is going to help me if I get hurt..

 

[oldtimer]

My boss doesn't want to buy a bigger ladder or scaffolding so we have to climb all the way up...I use to feel a lot more comfortable doing it, not anymore.. Do you guys go all the way up? I told him the other day I am not going up there without the right height ladder... I use to do dumb crap when told, but who is going to help me if I get hurt..

I hate to say this , but if you do not refuse to do this , then you are the fool !

 

[drumnut08]

My boss doesn't want to buy a bigger ladder or scaffolding so we have to climb all the way up...I use to feel a lot more comfortable doing it, not anymore.. Do you guys go all the way up? I told him the other day I am not going up there without the right height ladder... I use to do dumb crap when told, but who is going to help me if I get hurt..

. I did that once in my life standing in the middle of a school cafeteria wiring lights and speakers . I was following the lead of my not so smart journeyman . I lost my balance once and almost took the grid down in the process . I came down the ladder went to the foreman , told him I wasn't working like that anymore . He said " like what " ? He walked in the room and freaked out at the guy I was working with , lol ! Meanwhile , there was rolling scaffold in the room that was intended for us to use . You fall from 12 feet your getting hurt , period . Tell your boss to get the right s--t to do the job , because you're days of heroics are over . That will either get you fired or some respect . There's no need for anyone to work like that in this day in age , at least not in this country , lol !

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I don't anymore but I have stood on the top rung of a 12' ladder that was elevated with 4 sheetrock mud buckets and a couple of boards. Not a wise move.

I know osha would not approve this but it is safe IMO-- I take 2 very well built saw horse and put 2x 10's across them. Set the ladder on it and screw some screws in by the foot of the ladder so it cannot move. I also screw down the 2x 10's. I have done this many times and it keeps you from standing on the top rung.

 

[duramaxdarren]

**** him! my brother fell of an 8'. shattered his wrist so bad they wanted to amputate because of the amount of work, pain and recovery he'd have to go through. He still has his hand and it took a year out of work and another two to get 80% back and it still hurts. bottom line no one cares about you except you when you fall. just make an annomus call to osha and have them show up. that'll fix his ass and you'll get your ladder. i hate pricks like that!

 

[sbrn33]

I did in the old days(15 years ago) but I would not do it now nor would I ever expect my guys to it. If you don't have the right equipment either don't do it or rent the right stuff.

 

[Maximumbob]

My boss doesn't want to buy a bigger ladder or scaffolding so we have to climb all the way up...I use to feel a lot more comfortable doing it, not anymore.. Do you guys go all the way up? I told him the other day I am not going up there without the right height ladder... I use to do dumb crap when told, but who is going to help me if I get hurt..

Amen brother. We used to work off the top of 12' and 14' wooden stepladders. I asked the guy I was working with if it's OK and he told me to just go with the sway of the ladder. The carpenter on the job said if you fall don't grab the grid because it won't help you and just make more work for me. I won't do it anymore.

 

[bmailman20]

Not me! I have seen guys stand on the top step of a 16 foot A-frame. That's crazy!

 

[Big John]

Yeah, done it, but it's damn stupid. A 12' fall can kill you, and that's not theoretical: I worked on a job where a painter died from that.

 

[running dummy]

^
One of my first jobs as an apprentice I was asked to rough a "great room" and had to stand on the top rung of a 14'er.

I try not to do it anymore and am even more strict with the guys working for me.

 

[wcord]

If your boss doesn't own a tall enough ladder, he can rent one.
It is a heck of a lot cheaper to buy/rent the proper tools than to pay for the increased WCB premiums and the fines for accidents.
I spend a lot of money on proper tools for the jobs. And so far that has paid off for me. My WCB premiums are as low as can be for the trade, and I don't have guys missing work because of accidents.
Safety just makes good business sense:thumbup:

 

[Ultrafault]

In some states osha will fine you and your boss for violations.

 

[CopperSlave]

I hate to say this , but if you do not refuse to do this , then you are the fool !

Pretty good statement right there. Our trade is dangerous enough without adding stuff like standing on the top of a ladder into the mix. If my boss expected me to do something like that, instead of getting me the right equipment, I guess I'd be looking for a new job. I showed up to work in one piece, and I'm going home in one piece.

 

[Ultrafault]

Pretty dumb statement right there. Our trade is dangerous enough without adding stuff like standing on the top of a ladder into the mix. If my boss expected me to do something like that, instead of getting me the right equipment, I guess I'd be looking for a new job. I showed up to work in one piece, and I'm going home in one piece.

I think you missread oldtimers post.

 

[ampman]

Pretty dumb statement right there. Our trade is dangerous enough without adding stuff like standing on the top of a ladder into the mix. If my boss expected me to do something like that, instead of getting me the right equipment, I guess I'd be looking for a new job. I showed up to work in one piece, and I'm going home in one piece.

he is saying that it's a bad idea

 

[CopperSlave]

My mistake....when I first read it, I though he meant he was a fool for not doing it. My apologies.

 

[daveEM]

I've been known to stand on top of my 4 foot Louisville (rated at 300 pounds). But that's pretty scary now so I don't do it often any more. She's a rock tho. Doesn't move period. Back to your problem.

So I'm on a job. There is a fourteen foot new/old wooden ladder on site. Now days I'll go ten steps up unless I've had a rye then 11 steps up. Can't reach.

I work by myself. Look into renting a 16 foot, - I'll put my feet on rung #12 for that guy. I decide it's too heavy/awkward for me to handle by myself.

So i tell the property management guy to phone whosit, - they have more guys and don't even have to rent a ladder. Or... he's a management company. He can call me when he has found some tough guys and has them set up a 3 section scaffold. I'll do that.

So what you have to do is look after yourself. The boss might like a hero but if you fall, your done. You owe that dork nothing and why he would expect that from you just shows his intelligence.

Oh. The property management guy did call me back. I climbed the scaffold, fixed the lights, sent an invoice got paid. I was able to walk somewhere and spend that money (I like to do that). For whatever reason he decided not to call the other company.

 

[Elephante]

I don't anymore but I have stood on the top rung of a 12' ladder that was elevated with 4 sheetrock mud buckets and a couple of boards. Not a wise move. I know osha would not approve this but it is safe IMO-- I take 2 very well built saw horse and put 2x 10's across them. Set the ladder on it and screw some screws in by the foot of the ladder so it cannot move. I also screw down the 2x 10's. I have done this many times and it keeps you from standing on the top rung.

that is actually a good idea...

 

[sparky402]

I have a 16' al ladder and a 12' ladder. If we need to we use paint stand and put the ladder onthat and its pretty solid.

 

[oldtimer]

My mistake....when I first read it, I though he meant he was a fool for not doing it. My apologies.

Apology accepted .

I was basically recalling doing dumb stuff like that , because i was in a hurry , or some other dumb reason !

I was lucky , fell a few times , never injured badly !

Got any Grapes ?

:laughing: