6ft step ladder in good condition. it has ribbed steps for gripping, it is solid and sturdy. The ladders hinges locked in place, the feet are in good condition. This is a great ladder for most projects and inspecting various things in short distances.
ladder safety
I find several models of articulated ladders would not be good options for climbing roofs in the extension form at great heights due to the fact that several have inadequate footings. certain styles present unsafe feet with minimal grips and no claws for soil applications, these lack of safety features could contribute to serious injury.
Attached is a picture of a articulating ladder rated as a 1A. the lower right leg is bent. This ladder should be taken out of service. additionally this ladder does not have very good footing to be used as an extension ladder.
I researched ladder safety. Unfortunately the article did not give very much new information on the subject than what this course did other than the use of a spectoscope. It seams as new products come on the market such as the spectroscope and drones climbing on roofs may not be as common as in the past.
During a roof inspection I evaluated all roof penetration and vents. This vent was properly installed with no nail faster being exposed. Sometimes this can be an area of water intrusion but this was done correctly and should function properly.
Article: Ladder Safety.
In this article it explains the different types of ladders and safety issues with them and their intended use. It talks about the dangers associated with ladders including death from falls 10 feet or less. At the end of the article it explains alternative ways of Inspecting a roof that is much safer then climbing the roof such as the spectoscope.
The asphalt has wheel depressions and cracks. Asphalt last of the 20 years concrete lasts up to 30. Recommend sealing or repair.
I read “Ladder Safety”
by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard
it is important to put your ladder away when you are not using it. someone may come along and decide to use the ladder while you aren’t looking. if they fell off it could cause you legal promlems. another reason to put it away is the wind. it may not be windy when you put it up but the wind might pick up and blow the ladder over while you are away.
the picture shows an attic that was inspected. there was minor water damage from an patched hole and the bathroom vents were not vented to the exterior.
The article I choose was “Inspector Safety: Three-Point Control for Climbing Ladders.” This article is very applicable for distinguishing between three-point control and three points of contact when climbing ladders. The article showed a demonstration and listed points to know when climbing ladders while stressing to be as safe as possible.
I inspected a 4 foot step ladder. The ladder is constructed of fiberglass. There were no cracks in the fiberglass. All of the steps were in good shape. However, as seen in the picture, the support on the non-climbing side is badly damaged. The ladder should be taken out of service.
Each year in the US there are more than 164,000 emergency room related injuries and 300 deaths by falls from ladders. Most of those falls are from 10 feet or less. Much of the time, injuries/deaths are the result of carelessness when using ladders. Ladders can be a useful tool if used safely and correctly.
My photo shows the service drop and electrical panel at my house. The service drop has the required distance from the roof surface and all attachments look good. The electrical panel is labeled and in good condition,with no signs of rust. I removed the cover while wearing the proper safety equipment and inspected the wiring, breakers , panel is clean and and everything looks good. Blunt ended screws were used to hold cover.
Ground fault circuit interrupter:
GFCI is a device used to disconnect a circuit when an unbalanced current is detected between an energized conductor and a neutral. These devices are now used to upgrade older electrical systems and are now required in all construction builds where possible water contact is present.
These areas would include kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, garages, pools and all outdoor receptacles.
This is a photo of an accordion drain pipe found beneath the kitchen sink which is not a preferred installation. Although previously approved by local codes, it has fallen from grace due to failures and its propensity for clogging and ultimate leakage. We strongly recommend that this section of pipe be replaced by more trustworthy ‘hard pipe’.
Ladder Safety Course
Inspection Assignment
The picture below shows a rake board with proper drip edge flashing. The rake board and soffit are both in good condition as well, with the exception of one joint between two of the soffit boards that needs to be sealed to help prevent the entrance of insects.
This is a photo of an accordion drain pipe found beneath the kitchen sink which is not a preferred installation. Although previously approved by local codes, it has fallen from grace due to failures and its propensity for clogging and ultimate leakage. We strongly recommend that this section of pipe be replaced by more trustworthy ‘hard pipe’.
Ladder Safety Training Course
Research Exercise
I read the article “Ladder Safety” by Nick Gromicko and Kenton Shepard. I was surprised to learn the specific statistics for ladder injuries and deaths. I was even more surprised that the United States is the world leader in ladder deaths. I am glad that I chose this article because it is easy to see how safety on a ladder can be overlooked. It is very important to take ladder safety seriously and I will be doing so.
As we discuss and explore ladder safety in this course, I wanted to share with my fellow inspectors one of the ladder styles myself and my guys use. We use variations of the ladder I carry with me every day, branded as Xtend+Climb. This is a telescoping ladder that extends and locks by the foot as needed on the job site or at home with a full reach of 20.5 feet. The ladder weighs 37 pounds, and the strap that is attached has a cushioned finger grip for toting the ladder farther than you would like to comfortably. This ladder is ANSI/OSHA TYPE I rated at 250 pounds. The model I carry is the 785P. We also carry other ladders as well to suit our needs as job sites vary, but we like the portable and storable aspect of these ladders as they can fit easily in the trunk of the car. Although we are aware of the dangers associated with these ladders and all the internal parts that you cannot visually inspect on daily basis, we test and inspect each ladder daily with plans to destroy should the ladder show signs of fault.
