Long ladder - a way to help keep the top of it in place

[michael adams]

But Bill was quite happy with one hand

michael adams

...

[Richard]

Errmm, let's start on the ground. Grasp ladder with both hands - four points of contact, two with the ground and two on the ladder. Raise one foot (left will do) - three points of contact, one with the ground and two on the ladder. Place left foot on first rung - four points of contact, three on the ladder and one on the ground. Raise one hand (right maybe) - three points of contact, two on the ladder and one on the ground. Grasp ladder one rung higher with previously free hand - four points of contact, three on the ladder and one on the ground. Raise right foot - three points of contact on the ladder. Place right foot on rung (be adventurous and go one above the left foot) - four points of contact on the ladder. Raise left hand - three points of contact on the ladder. Grasp ladder higher than the right - four points of contact... ..continue process.

HTH.

[michael adams]

Except that when climbing ladders hands and feet are often moved simultaneously.

Or are you denying that this is a possibilty ?

michael adams

...

[Nightjar]

As I said, wooden ladders are notoriously difficult to inspect and be sure they are safe.

Normal practice is every fourth or fifth rung. They are not there to support the rungs, but to ensure that the stiles cannot spread and allow rungs to drop out.

As I have also mentioned, my late father was left with a permanent limp after a drop of about 18".

[Nightjar]

While possible, it is definitely inadvisable and would certainly get a mention from a factory inspector if any employee of a company they were visiting were to be seen doing it.

[michael adams]

Pun acknowledged.

And while I don't usually resort to quoting third party sources in order to reinforce what to me seems straightforward common sense (with the stiles your hands are always in contact with the ladder) I'm pleased to to say that all the sources I've found do happen to agree with both the late Fred and myself.

Always grip the ladder when climbing (3 point contact, grip styles not rungs)

e) Use both hands when climbing and descending. Grip the ladder stiles, not the

rungs, and ensure 3 points of contact at all times.

Fred climbed up ladders which he'd roped together which were probably just as "awkward" at the transitions as as any multisectioned aluminium ladder.

So as it is, I'm more than happy to take Fred's word on this.

However were you to post some Youtube videos of yourself laddering some 300ft mill chimneys using your own personal "rung handling technique" then I might be forced to reconsider.

michael adams

...

[michael adams]

If they were following the correct procedure - both hands in contact with the stiles at all times

e) Use both hands when climbing and descending. Grip the ladder stiles, not the

rungs, and ensure 3 points of contact at all times.

there would be no problem. The problem only arises when gripping the rungs - as Richard and others are suggesting - as then its necessary to break contact with the ladder when moving your hand to another rung.

michael adams

...

[michael adams]

Eh ? Wherever have I suggested that anyone does ? *

Indeed.

michael adams

• Quite possibly plenty of idiots are doing this all the time but this isn't relevant in the present context.

...

[tony sayer]

In article , Nightjar

Poor sod. Best bet with wooden ladders of most any age to is chop 'em up;!..

[tony sayer]

But you have one hand gripping one rung all the time better then two trying to grip the stiles and that may not be good idea when changing from one section of the ladder to another, when you can't get a good grip, or its rather wet and slippery...

[RobertL]

Absolutely. I have cemented stainless ring bolts in the gable wall and I use a harness.

My neighbour fell of a ladder doing his gutter. He was crippled for the rest of his life.

[alan_m]

I assume you haven't seen this

[News]

In message , alan_m writes

I couldn't watch. Wimp, I know. I had to exit it. I really don't think I could do that, if my life depended on it.

[tony sayer]

They do seem to take far more risks over there with practices that wouldn't be allowed over here;!..