Thread: Ladder Brackets

Originally Posted by Somedayplumbing

I use 2 of these on jobs, not only for it sliding but also the wind blowing the ladder away.
https://lockjawladdergrip.com.au/

They look like they'd be handy for cleaning gutters where you are constanly moving the ladder along the gutter. For transitioning onto and off the roof I'd want something more sturdy.

Originally Posted by Somedayplumbing

I did a quick google search and came up with this, I would buy this if I was regularly getting onto a roof.
I like the idea that you can tie the ladder into place and that the ladder does not squash the guttering.
Hi-Safe LS25G Ladder Bracket Gutter - Roof Anchors / Ladder Brackets & | Height Safety Central

Tying the ladder off is a must if you're getting onto/off the roof.
Thanks for the heads-up about SS corroding colorbond. I didn't know that.

I happened to be at the big green shed this morning getting other stuff, but happened to walk through the ladder aisle and the had the lockjaw things.
I had a play with one - I liked it enough that it came home with me.
I’ve been looking for a solution at home for a while, but permanent brackets dont really suit due to qty - Plus I get the odd call from my daughter so a something portable was my preference.

Two would be even better, but the single one is going to be much better than nothing!

Steve

Some years back I was working on the outside of a mate's place using my extension ladder on a slope. It didn't take long to get sick of packing under the "ladder's feet" to level up the base. The photo shows what I call an Outrigger that is bolted to the ladder and expanding the foot print from 500mm to 1200mm. It is simple task to extend either leg to level up the ladder. I used 30 X 30mm RHS and 25 X 25mmRHS with holes drilled every 25mm or so

It is so handy I keep the outrigger on the ladder all the time. (it does easily come off if needed)

I don't like squishing the gutters with my ladders so I have been using 3.3m A-frame ladders (all 4 legs on ground so less chance of tipping) to clean low down gutters and up until this thread I though the use of 2 quick action clamps to hold the side of the ladder onto the gutter was good enough to clean gutters. I'm actually only standing about half way up the ladder while doing this.
Looks like I might have to lift my game a bit.

For gutters above 3m I get someone in to do them.

Getting on and off the ladder is the most dangerous part as noted by in a few posts and modifying the ladder is an easy and safe way to overcome that problem but tall hand holds bolted to the roof would do the same thing. Hand holds at the surface level of the roof are less than useless or would be to me who has not climbed a ladder in a long time. Many years ago when I was desperate for money I installed solar hot water heaters for a short time and one roof I reckon had a clear fall of at least 30 metres if someone fell off and the roof was particularly steep, no harnesses of course. I resigned that afternoon and the boss could not see the problem.

My mate who works at Worksafe said they are focussing on fall protection at the moment. Apparently we average one death per week from falls.

Originally Posted by Chris Parks

I reckon had a clear fall of at least 30 metres...

You could almost use a parachute for fall protection at that height.

Originally Posted by jack620

My mate who works at Worksafe said they are focussing on fall protection at the moment. Apparently we average one death per week from falls.

Some interesting stats about workplace deaths here
https://www.waha.org.au/injury-statistics/

It shows that while causes like electrical contact, and motor vehicle accident death rates are falling, death from falls and deaths from falling objects does not appear to have changed. I guess that's why worksafe is looking at this.

Originally Posted by BobL

It shows that while causes like electrical contact, and motor vehicle accident death rates are falling, death from falls and deaths from falling objects does not appear to have changed. I guess that's why worksafe is looking at this.

During my time working underground and as a Health and Safety Rep for my crew in that same environment, I found that working at heights was the hands down toughest area to change behaviours in. Old habits died hard and everybody knew better. Possibly due to sheer stubbornness I managed to kick some goals I know work in a vastly different sector where I no longer ascend to any greater height than to enter the forklift seat, but I still shake my head when we have contractors onsite such as sparkys working from scissor lifts or roofers tap dancing around 8+ Metres up in the air, not only are they totally in breach of most safety laws you could think of, both they and their bosses are happy to have photographs illustrating this posted on social media. Yes, I do have an extensive paper trail where I have brought this to my master's attention.
For me, the bottom line is that height safety has never been cheaper to implement than what it currently is and I cannot fathom why anyone would not embrace it. I've done my time on wet roofs covered with fine grain dust and other similar dodgy escapades using my you know what as a suction cup and I have no desire to revisit those days.

This thread is very timely... Here I am at 73 years old, quite fit & agile, living in a high-set house near Cairns, where for the past 35 years I've done all the necessary pre-cyclone clearance of gutters, checks of roof & aerials etc. I did have some self-installed anchor points along the ridge -capping before the colourbond roof was renewed 5 or so years ago, where I used to clip a rope for my 'security'. Never replaced unfortunately. How stupid can one be?
I've used what I considered to be a safe corner between two roof sections to prop the top of the extending ladder into & always secure the base of the ladder from sliding away. Should seriously consider the top sliding sideways..... Must visit Bunnings very soon.
It's only a shallow slope on the main roof section, so I've just slid sideways along the roof on my bum or hands & knees, & scooped out the debris under the gutter guard into buckets or tossed it over the edge to rake up later. What could possibly go wrong?
I thought the same with my 50+ years of motorcycle riding; extra careful & so on:- a fuel spill on the first few corners of the Gillies range road & it all changes real fast even if you are just pootling along.... Bones aren't as strong as they were, even when you slide off, let alone fall a ways. Fractured tibia & fibula; titanium rod in the former. That was 3 years ago. Reduced bone density due age as well of course.
Hell, I fell out of bed about 2 a.m. two weeks ago with a mighty thud, chasing some wild animal or whatever. How I didn't break both my knee-caps on the wooden floor, as well as crack my head & draw blood on the bedside cabinet on the way past is a muddy blearacle.

This staying alive business is a complicated affair. I must pay more attention.

Halifax

Like others, I think I may have to invest in some of them gutter clamps. And one of those bondage outfits along with some anchoring points on the roofs I work on.

Where I can, I try to always use this thing:
IMG_0360sm.jpg

It's a 1974 Israeli "Afron" that I converted to electric in 2011. It'll lift to 4.5m and is very stable - excellent for cleaning gutters and solar panels, and for open-sided sheds, or verandas, it'll reach over onto the roof so you can step out of it well clear of the edge.

Originally Posted by Karl Robbers

shake my head when we have contractors onsite such as sparkys working from scissor lifts

Diagnostic question, Karl.

While I realise that is not as safe as proper scaffolding, is there anything inherently wrong with electrical work from scissor lifts?









Earlier this year I used a harness for the first time (with long rope over the roof, tied onto front veranda, so I could climb up 2 stories to clean lichens off solar panels). Even then, with scrubbing brush and bucket of water, it was a bit scary. Must be getting old.



Also now have a few different cheap secondhand "personnel lifts" in range of heights (4m, 6m, 11m):
Screen Shot 2021-10-24 at 11.19.42 am.jpg Screen Shot 2021-10-24 at 11.21.09 am.jpgScreen Shot 2021-10-24 at 11.20.28 am.jpg IMG_1318.jpg

Not good enough to ever hire out, but safer than my 7m extension ladder. Only problem is moving the big one between sites - even with two people, it is too heavy to tilt in or out of a trailer.

Originally Posted by nigelpearson

Diagnostic question, Karl.

Apologies, I stopped the story a bit short there didn't I.
Working from a scissor lift is fine and a really good option in fact, the problem in this case is not one of the sparkies was compliant with working at heights rules while they were up there. No harnesses, no hard hats and work areas not barricaded off to prevent others entering their work area. Actually, in thinking about it, they didn't use any proper lock outs on the circuits they were working on either.
If one lot of complacency doesn't get them, the other one will eventually.

Used my lockjaw clamp for the first time today cleaning some gutters. I was working in between showers, hail and strong gusty winds - just standing on the ladder.

Really happy with the product, quick and easy to use and felt very secure. I’d want the second one for extra security if I was getting on/off the roof a lot though.
To me the ease of use is a big aspect of a safety device. The quicker and easier it is then the less you’re inclined to bypass it for a quick job. The lockjaw is great in that respect.

https://lockjawladdergrip.com.au

Steve

The main problem i can see with those is you’re relying on the integrity of the guttering and the fascia it’s mounted to. These are not always sound. I’ve seen plenty of guttering that’s totally rusted on the top side yet looks fine on the underside.