Research & Writing Assignment:
For my essay I chose ladder safety I just wanted to double down on a few of the most common mistakes made when using a ladder. When at a job never leave the ladder unattended clients or their children may attempt to climb it. Don’t put the ladder in front of an unlocked door this, most importantly don’t over extended yourself this is the number one cause for accidents.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
For my photo assignment I chose to take a picture of my articulated ladder. This ladder is my personal favorite because it is so versatile on the job. It has two articulated joints which allow it to go from a frame to vertical it also has two sets of bolts to adjust height it is 16 feet giving it 13 working feet.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Attached is a photo depicting “unsafe ladder use”. The ladder that is being used is a self-supporting step ladder. The worker is working unsafely by: not choosing a ladder the right height for his job, not placing the ladder with secured footing and using his step ladder in a closed position. A step ladder should always be inspected before each use and should always be in the locked position on level ground.
Research & Writing Assignment:
For this essay I searched the illustration gallery for “Ladders”. I came across at picture labeled “Broken Ladder Rung”. We see in this photo a wooden step ladder with one of its rungs split. I learned in this course that all ladders shall be inspected twice yearly, and before each use. Also, no ladder shall be used if it has rungs or steps missing or damaged. This ladder should be repaired or replaced before use.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Ladders should be inspected before every use. The United States leads the world in annual ladder deaths, most of these deaths occur from falls less than 10 feet. Ladders should never be painted, this can hide defects that could cause harm. Attached is a typical 12 foot step ladder, it appears to be in good shape but the worker should still inspect it to ensure his safety and the safety of anyone who may use the ladder.
Research & Writing Assignment:
“Inspector Safety: Three-Point Control for Climbing Ladders”
Safety should always be on the minds of anyone using a ladder. The three-point control method is a way for users to maximized their safety. Using your hands and feet as contact points the user should always have three of the four of these points on the ladder at all times. Grasping the rungs and not the side rails you should only move one of the four contact points at a time. This will maximize the users balance.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The picture I used was from a job I recently done.
It shows the ladder being used correctly.
Notice The ladder is both level and set at the correct angle.
This is my favorite type of ladder as it can be used as an exstension or step ladder either one.
Research & Writing Assignment:
My essay is about the 15 tools all home owners should own.So first off the plunger a must for every home.A screwdriver set is another must. So what would you say if you had to have one tool of any kind what would it be??
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Its obvious in this picture, which is taken from the web not mine, is or was using this ladder not as it was intended. There is a very good reason why you should not use the landing step of a ladder. From personal experience I have used it and the ladder becomes very unstable and a fall is likely
Research & Writing Assignment:
According to the article on the InterNACHI website. the United States leads the world in deaths from ladder falls. While this may be true I feel these numbers are not entirely accurate. I have worked in many different countries and have seen working conditions that would scare Evil Knievel. I think its highly likely the deaths in other countries were not reported as such due to the fact they do not have a strict policy for reporting as the US does,
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Extension ladders should be place on a flat none slippery surface. They should be placed against the building at a four to one ratio which is usually the same as your toes against the base of the ladder and your arms extended out touching the ladder. The ladder should extend four feet above the roof and tied off so the ladder does not fall away from the building because of the wind or other. Ladders should be ten feet or better from any power lines.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The attached photo is from 2507 Solon Drive. We decided not to use a ladder to go onto this roof for an inspection. There were two problems. The first problem was that our ladder could not extend three rungs above the roof line and the second problem was that there was not a level location to stand a ladder. Both these issues would be an unsafe usage of a ladder.
Research & Writing Assignment:
My essay is on the “Climbing Ladder” diagram.
The diagram demonstrates how to climb a latter properly and safely. The individual on the latter is demonstrating the three touch points while climbing or descending from a ladder. The individual has at least two hands and one foot or one hand and two feet always touching the ladder going up or down the ladder. And, there’s no equipment being held while climbing a ladder.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This is a picture of a step ladder. It was inspected prior to use. The inspection included ensuring that all bolts and fasteners were properly secure, that the rungs were free of damage and were dry, and that the ladder’s weight capacity was sufficient for the user. Routine ladder inspection helps ensure safety and is recommended by OSHA.
Research & Writing Assignment:
After reading the article entitled Ladder Safety, I learned that if using a ladder is unsafe, there are alternate methods to inspect the roof of a home. One of these methods is the use of a spectoscope, which is a tool that allows the user toview images of the roof from the safety of the ground.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Attic and roof structure inspection.
Access to the Attic and Roof System structure are through the small opening in the garage. I set up my step ladder, Type 1 - 8 foot, in the garage. As seen in the photo, the step ladder will not open directly under the attic access, making it unsafe for use. Also, the workbench under the access would be a very dangerous place to fall from the step ladder. I replaced the step ladder with an Extension ladder, securing the bottom of the ladder to prevent sliding and had the customer clear the area below the attic access for additional safety. Even with these precautions I had to be cautious because the attic access opening was very small, and an extension ladder was taking up part of the space. Because the attic access point was so small the inspection could only be completed from the access. No visual inspection of the roof system structure could be completed.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Attic and roof structure inspection.
Access to the Attic and Roof System structure are through the small opening in the garage. I set up my step ladder, Type 1 - 8 foot, in the garage. As seen in the photo, the step ladder will not open directly under the attic access, making it unsafe for use. Also, the workbench under the access would be a very dangerous place to fall from the step ladder. I replaced the step ladder with an Extension ladder, securing the bottom of the ladder to prevent sliding and had the customer clear the area below the attic access for additional safety. Even with these precautions I had to be cautious because the attic access opening was very small, and an extension ladder was taking up part of the space. Because the attic access point was so small the inspection could only be completed from the access. No visual inspection of the roof system structure could be completed.
Research & Writing Assignment:
In the article “Inspector Safety: Three-Point Control for Climbing Ladders”, the authors explain the critical difference in safety between “three point contact” and “three point control” methods of ladder climbing. The conclusion of the article supports the use of the control method because when gripping the side rail of a ladder in a fall, neither men nor women are able to support their weight. By grasping the horizontal rungs, a technique termed as the “power grip”, the climber increases their ability to support their body weight by at least 74% in the event of a fall. While the rule of three contact points exists in both methods of climbing, maintaining a power grip with at least one hand greatly increases a ladder climbers personal safety.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Articulating ladders like the one shown are popular because of their ease of transport and storage combined with versatility in use. locking hinges allow them to be set up in a number of different configurations. Articulating ladders can not have a length of more than 30 feet.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Article of choice is ladder safety by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard.
Unfortunately more than 295 people die in the United States each year from ladder related accidents. That’s more than anywhere else in the world. I myself have fallen from a ladder before in my experience and fortunately was not seriously injured. I have know peers that have been seriously injured from ladder falls. in mine and most other instances I know about were caused by over reaching from atop a ladder. One should take care to relocate a ladder for better positioning instead of over reaching from the ladder trying tp perform task pout of reach.
