Ladder safty - what are you using currently using and recommendations

[Scottie]

Hello,

I have been looking into ladders and WFP recently and it looks like I am choosing TRAD. Unless I cna get to grips with what I need for a WFP system and to make it, it seems a lot of hassle, probabaly as I am new to it all and learning.

Ok, I have ladders the Abru trade ones as recommended by some guys on here, my first ever pair. Not the best but good enough for me and will last me a year I will improve on them.

I am looking for good safty tips and what is good to buy. I am ordering the m8rix as that seems good and will add some kind of anti slip backwards and I have seen it in action also and works, its better than a bitof carpet my windy used to tell me a while ago.

I wonders if an ankalad can be used in conjection with this and is there one that will fit a 2.0 meter ladder?

I just want some good saftey bits and as new and winter to I want to feel safe as I learn my new trade, just being sensible and asking here as you guys will no what is best and what works with each other.

I have the m8rix for anti slip I want somthing that helps with sideways slip, a feature that can add soem assistance, I know its never full proof but somthing that assists. I see there is a sure step stabalizer not sure if any has used it? or if there are better easy to fit smaller ones. Also does a stand offer offer any saftey and are they a benefit?

THANK YOU AGAIN!

 

[Dave B]

Just get an ankalad

Stops sideways and backwards slip so don't need anything else

Must have at least 9 rungs in the section to mount it though

 

[Smurf]

As far as safety is concerned using ladders for window cleaning this should help.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/misc613.pdf

 

[Smurf]

With a microlite standoff also used at the top of the ladder make an awesome safe working combination.

Just get an ankaladStops sideways and backwards slip so don't need anything else

Must have at least 9 rungs in the section to mount it though

 

[Scottie]

Just get an ankaladStops sideways and backwards slip so don't need anything else

Must have at least 9 rungs in the section to mount it though

Dam my ladder has 7 oin abru. But I found this ankalad and it says it fits any ladder? http://www.tool-net.co.uk/p-314973/ladder-safety-devices-ankalad.html?gclid=COe6xMGO8MECFUYOwwodqRAA5A

Will have to contact them see if it will fit, ther emust be one out there that does.

Anything else of good use, stabalizers are good need to find one that will fold up on ladder, not sure they do them.

Thanks smurf for the info too.

 

[Smurf]

No an ankalad will not fit on a 7 rung ladder even though it says it will fit any type of ladder that meaning what it is made from not size

 

[Scottie]

Yeah. Stick to the m8rix and a staalizer, still tryign to find a a pure water makign set up thats resonable price. I have that facelift package thats set up ready for pure and go. Frustrating, just trying to haul the net for info and what i may need, If I new what I needed, i could have it all with a few days. Grrr - just the ladders are cheaper, but really I want WFP i really like the concept.

 

[Smurf]

If you don't want to use ladders then the other option is to learn about trad pole work

 

[boarcity]

the simplicity of ladderwork is a real boon. if you are going to add a safety device only add one - dont over egg the omelette by adding too many safety gizmos. you might trip over them

 

[Smurf]

Or do away with ladders altogether is another option

 

[Diwrnach]

Or do away with ladders altogether is another option

That's what I decided to do and best decision I made.

 

[boarcity]

many folk buy ladders but then decide no no no, not for me - well theres nothing wrong with that, but i bid you dont be too hasty in throwing the ladder aside

understand that theres a learning curve with using ladders on a daily basis [ as with everything in life] , IF you can follow that curve , and it took me at least 3 months- you Will come out the other side with a real feeling of acheivment

 

[Diwrnach]

Yeah I always have my ladders on the pick up regardless, just now they come off a lot less than they did before /emoticons/smile.png

 

[Dave B]

First jobs are always worse.when new to ladders

Once you go a second or 3rd time you . Remember where is good to stick the ladder

Don't rely on safety gear

Better to use ladders properly with none than to think I'll be ok i got me laddermate

 

[Scottie]

Your so right Daveyboy1. I am going to use a m8rix for outward slip and need to just now find somthing for the ide way slip, to help that, every little helps, just tuff finding somthing thats reasonable priced, or 2nd hand.

Going off the WFP idea, I really liked it, ut had a convo online and some people dont like it winter as leaves loads water and ice up, so i dont want to lose custys and trad seems more straight forward, I just worry about the windows I can not get to, what do you do? I will have to use the unger pole trad, need to practice more. Its tuff work getting that right for upstairs.

 

[Diwrnach]

Not sure if ice will be much of an issue with WFP, how often is it below zero in the day time? not very is my guess.

 

[boarcity]

at the end of the day, theres a "fear factor " associated with ladders .

with each of my workers iv heard them shout "im sh/tting it" on the first day theyre faced with 3 storey ladders and this is only natural . accept that youre new and that youre sh/tting it and it gets easier i promise you .

 

[Dave B]

You got to be suicidal to have no fear.on ladders

It's fear that makes you think twice about doing anything stupid

 

[PTWC]

I am worried hearing all this. It sounds to ms like you have never used ladders before Scottie. Is that true?

If so you should be using the best kind of ladders, not some cheapo flimsy ones.

How good is your ladder?

What height does it extend to?

I assume its 2M when closed up, but how many sections?

If you are talking about spending loads of money on WFP and every safety device on the market, why don't you simply invest in a set of decent ladders, a good Trad pole etc, wagtail, instead.

Buying good qualify gear is paramount.

I cannot understand all this 'buy this now coz its cheap n chearful, and then buy some proper kit again later if I havn't fallen off of it and killed myself in a years time' mentallity.

I know your keen, but if you have some money to spend,(which evidently do, going by your comments), then concentrate on buying good quality kit.

Don't do any 3 storey work! You need to get completely confident with using ladders , and get comfortable with first floor work for a few months.

Good ladders meaning one that has 'EN131' written on it somewhere. One that will not twist, and will not blow over when you breath on it.

If it is not safe to put up on its own, then don't go up it at all. A microlite is fantastic, but don't think that using that will be enough to stop you falling off in every situation.

Build up confidence with the basic situations first.

 

[Dave B]

The ladders he has are en131 rated i think

He just needs to get some practice in and get used to them

 

[Scottie]

Hi,

Yes I am using Abru tripple 3 section, 2m closed(so fits in car) EN 131 an recomended by 4 people on here and some of whom are using them. I think they are good. I just am very cautious person and like to know I have some good safety bits in place just to help. I am only going to do normal houses and the upstair rooms, no 3 story for me or larger properties.

I am not over bothered abotu doing the upstair house windows, its just knowing I have some good saftey bits in place and that I have doen my bit to ensure I have made a safer working method as well as applying myself in the correct manner and not being silly on them to cut corners.

Boarcity is right, there is a fear factor, maybe I should stay off the WFP section, people seem to say oh ladders unsafe dont go there get WFP and been speaking to people also near me whom say ladder work is no good now. But I have really looked in to the cleaning methods and I liked WFP for the upstairs windows, seemed quick and easy, also on my area alot houses seem to have pitched roofs and hard to get to windows, so was wondering how do i do the windows? Ok I have a unger pole and all the best bits for it, but its taking time to master, if i will lol.

I just am split between WFP for tops or trad the whole lot, I just can not seem to find a complete end to end delivery system and pure water system to make the water and go. But then I think is WFP good enough, can i see the window form ground is clean fully is there a small mark, is there some spots, has the seal leaked some dirty water when left and bits have spotted.

I am just trying to get the best method, maybe you guys are right I should just get going on ladders build up and see where I go. Its the simple way, I think I am over thinking it all.

PTWC - you so right in saying dont buy cheap **** an invest more in future. I think the ladders I have are good enough as people here used them and still do on full rounds, I think i should just invest a small amount and get my trad even tighter, its 90% there already.

Thank you everyone for your advice, really really helpful, sorry I am a pain in the ass lol - is there anyone else that is in two minds over WFP or TRAD?