Attached is an image of a ladder that should be tagged as unsafe and taken out of service until it can be repaired or replaced. The bottom rung of the ladder is split. This rung is clearly unsafe and may not support the weight of the person standing on it. In addition to the broken rung the ladder is covered in dirt which could create a scenario where the person standing on it could slip and fall. Even though it is the bottom rung this ladder should not be used.
For this research assignment, I read the article on Three-Point Control.
Three-point control, different from three-point contact, can take a bit of practice to become second nature. But once in a routine this is the safest way to ascend and descend a ladder. Grasping a rung with enough of a grip to support your body weight in the event of a slip can help you regain your footing and prevent an accident. Having 3 or 4 points of contact on different rungs and not holding the side rails will give you more stability while navigating a ladder.
This is an example of a ladder that has far exceeded its service life. You notice the leg held to together with wire. A ladder like this is very dangerous and needs to be discarded immediately. The cost of a new ladder is far cheaper than a trip to the hospital.
Improper ladder usage is something I am guilty of. I have seen a ladder used incorrectly by other individuals more than I care to count. The image depicts the painter straddling the top of this ladder. The proper ladder protocol is to never exceed the top 3 rungs of a ladder in use. If properly leaned a correct distance on the ground, the ladder is safest up to the top 3 rungs. Anything past this point can cause an unstable ladder that will result in tipping or falling.
I use a telescoping type ladder that is pictured above. It is OSHA Rated, no pinch close system. The main safety feature is each rung turns from red to green when properly locked. It has a no pinch close system so my fingers don’t get caught when collapsing it. Finally the slip proof rubber feet are durable and keep the ladder from sliding out from underneath me.
There was an article on Ladder Safety in the NACHI Library. While it covered the same ground as the course, it did include the use of technology in roof inspections. The safest ladder safety one can practice is to not get on one in the first place. While I do not fear the use of ladders, there are certainly times when the use of a Spectoscope would be beneficial to inspect areas of a roof that are dangerous, wet, or have material that is not suitable to be stood on. Standards of Practice do not require getting on roofs, however a good inspector often does. In that vein practicing proper safety when using ladders is essential to avoiding accidents and falls.
I use ladders almost daily and some of the safety tips that I have read about through this course are very helpful.
I read an article the other day that some home inspectors are using drones to do roof inspections. Seems like a great way to look at roofs that are otherwise to dangerous to get on.
This step ladder is in good working order. The brackets and hinge mechanism are fully functional, and all of the rungs are tight and sturdy. There is no oil or grease detectable. However, the ladder was outside in a recent rainstorm and is dangerously wet. Also, it currently rests against the wall as though it were a single ladder - which it is not. This step ladder is only intended to be used in the open position with its brackets fully extended and locked.
In a NACHI library article, the critical importance of ladder safety was highlighted by several statistics from the World Health Organization. It seems that the United States leads the world in ladder deaths. Each year, there are more than 164,000 emergency room-treated injuries and 300 deaths in the U.S. that are caused by falls from ladders. Amazingly, most ladder deaths occur as a result of falls of 10 feet or less. And it’s not just inexperienced, amateur home-owners who are at risk. Apparently, falls from ladders*are the leading cause of deaths on construction sites.
Pictured is a homes 50gal water heater. It is installed in a closet with latching door. Though there was no earth quake strap, I’ve heard it argued that its confines preclude the necessity for additional strapping.
I went to the photo library and viewed the “Right” way and “Wrong” way to staple non metallic sheathed cable. Intuitively I’ve always known the wire should lay flat under the staple. Today I learned it’s a code violation to staple wire on its edge.
This is a picture of a water spot on a textured ceiling. It is most likely to be caused by a leaking roof or roof flashing (although it could be possibly something else). When I examined the roof and attic space I determined the cause to be worn out shingles and leaking shingles in a valley. I noted this on the report as a major concern and that the roof needs to be replaced very soon.
Roofing Underlayment Types
This article described the types and overlaps need to meet current construction standards. Roofs with a slope of 2:12 to 4:12 should have an overlap of 19". Roofs with more than 4:12 should have 2" of overlap. The best fastening method is with plastic caps, which seal better than staples.
There are several types of underlayment - asphalt saturated felt, rubberized asphalt, and non-bitumen synthetics. The current trend is to use synthetics instead of asphalts.
This is a picture of a 12 ft. fiberglass ladder. The maximum safe working height is 9 ft. Is is safe to use on flat non-slip surfaces. I would not recommend using this type of ladder on grass unless it is very even and not wet. Also, it has a tendency to be easily tilted horizontally so extra caution is advised when transferring from the ladder to a roof. Preferred ladder to access attics through the home.
This is a photograph of a pull-down, wooden attic ladder. It makes gaining access into the attic space very simple. However, if installed incorrectly or in poor shape, climbing up could be unsafe. This particular ladder appears to be in great shape.
For my research exercise, I read the article “Inspecting Log Homes.” In which, the author discusses multiple causes of ‘settling’ to log homes. A primary contributor to the settling process, is moisture. Using green logs, which dry and settle over time is a common cause for log home settling.
For my research assignment, I read the article “Attic Pull-Down Ladders.” In the article, the author explains that do to the fact most of these attic ladders are installed by the homeowner and not a professional carpenter, they are often done so incorrectly. Some common evidence of this include cut trusses, improper fasteners, lack of insulation, ladders being cut to long or to short, and cracked steps just to name a few.
Hi guys, having some learning fun.
This is a step ladder. The label is worn off so there is now way to properly ascertain the weight limit, therefore it would not be deemed safe for use.
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Online courses are much better for consumers. They allow inspectors to continue to grow with certifications and specialty training from experts all over the world without travel cost or high opportunity cost. This structure allows inspectors to be better, and thus a much higher value is presented to clientele.