i am 65 and used to clean my gutters on my single story home every fall. Until last fall when i started up the ladder and felt afraid. Got three rungs up and thought nope. Not going up a ladder again. Time for everything in life and my ladder days are done. Enjoy your videos.
for those woho did not know. everyone is a fall risk. babies fall when they learn to walk but bike bumbles they bounce back. the come team of moe larry and curly and mon larry and shemp did comedies with babies .. Kiefer and shawna married merged into a his and hers duo called Thompson square. the had a plug and play in their bermuda triangle in the bush under her bikini line and under his sperdo line. kiefer had a clima more after my vision problems clear up.
I have been a builder for 30 plus years. Been on some sketchy ladders and some not safe situations over the years. I did finally fall off a ladder but not on a job site. On my own house in a very safe situation with the ladder planted firmly in my driveway. The mistake I made was letting all these years of experience get in the way of best practices. I fell 20 feet, landed on my feet and shattered a vertebrae in my spine! Sense then I have broken my lower back due to the issues from that first fall. I am in constant pain and it all circles back to this single moment not taking this seriously. Watch this video several times… even if you have experience. Take it seriously because a broken back can ruin you carrier. Thanks for another great video Scott. Keep up the good work
We can always learn something new or get refreshed on a task or skill. Always keep an open mind. You never know when you might benefit from watching others.
Being in Your Comfort Zone Can Mean Taking More Risk. Apparently, 52 percent of all car accidents occur within a five-mile radius of home, and 69 percent of all collisions happen within a 10-mile radius from home.
I am confident this is the most important video that anyone watching will be seeing all day, most likely longer. Thank you for this ESSENTIAL information.
I can do commercial fixed rooftop ladders at pretty much any height, but extension ladders and their wobbly ass bounciness are a huge nope for me. I like to be as informed as possible so at least I can fall back on being certain I'm doing everything safely, so this helps a lot. I also find it kind of reassuring that folks here twice my age and with way more experience still get anxiety on these things. I feel less alone and less like a failure for being afraid of extension ladders.
It’s rare to find a video these days without controversy. It’s even rarer to find a creator go out of their way to address the controversy head-on and clearly explain both sides to let the audience decide. From someone who had to go onto the roof for the first time this weekend, a big thank you for boosting my confidence!
Dear Mr. Scott thank you for your help with the video. I would like to share when I was with the fire department for 28 years we would practice ladder safety at least 1 or 2 times a year. One thing that was taught and stressed was the angle of the ladder. The rule was, when you step up on the first rung extend your arms and hold on to the ladder your back should be vertical. Not to far back and not to far forward. That is all I would like to share.
As a retired builder and old guy, my house and outbuildings all have an eye bolt screwed in near the roof at the ladder locations. The first thing I do is firmly tie off the ladder before climbing off the ladder onto the roof, that way I know if anything happens, I can grab the ladder with confidence that it is not going anywhere. I know this practice has saved my suspenders!
@@tricatfilms6136 No, not on the roof. Install it in the facia, soffit, or wall near the roof where you can tie off the ladder to keep it from sliding sideways.
@@rodgraff1782 Smooth concrete, especially on warehouse floors, is especially dangerous. I used to have 2 40-lb sand bags that I would put on each leg of the ladder to stabilize it.
After 44 years in the building trade, the last 10 working nuclear power plant refuels, this is by far the best ladder safety information I've ever seen. Thank You for posting.
I’ve been climbing ladders for over thirty years as an owner of a log cabin in Northern Wisconsin. I can confirm that transitioning from ladder to roof and back again elevates the heart rate and I’m sure my blood pressure! You made me think about how I use the ladder and I will be changing some of my techniques. Thanks for a very informative video.
Scariest thing in the world for me is the transition to the roof. This is super helpful information for me. Stay safe folks, I lost my uncle to a ladder fall and he had been using one for decades.
Been using one of those things on the regular at work for almost eight years. Nothing but facts in this vid. Been to a few job sites where the only way to get up to the roof was on a sloped driveway (due to obstructions and other nonsense on the roof, and then too much height further along). The customer got *really* upset when I told him that wasn't happening, not in the wintertime, not on an ice covered drive with a slope in it. No way. He wanted me to salt the drive up and I told him he could do that all winter if he wanted to, I'd be back when the ground thawed. Sometimes, the best way to go up a ladder is to NOT go up a ladder.
6:30 good idea to make a mark with paint or something like that, about eye or hand hight on the outside ladder. That way you will always know WHEN your changing onto 1 ladder :)
When carrying a ladder vertically the very first thing you need to do is check the route you will be taking for overhead restrictions such as branches and particularly electric cables
Yup, checking overhead is absolutely the first thing you do, EVERY time .. Ladder climbers, take note! Also, If you aren't chock full of common sense, let someone else climb/ move that ladder. You need your wits about you at ALL times on the job site, and dealing with ladders is certainly no exception.
When possible - it is always best to pin or tie-back the ladder at both the top and bottom. This prevents kickout at the bottom and keeps the top from sliding.
I’m 32. In 15 years of trade I have never been able to shake my anxiety when I have to go up a ladder. Anything over 2 stories and I feel it. In my feet and hands, that’s tingling anxiety. I take them so very very seriously. They’re so incredibly dangerous but so very useful. Wonderful video
Great video. As someone who fell two floors plus from the top of a ladder, and hit a steel garbage dumpster on the way down, I also suggest, if possible, setting ladders where there is open ground around the base of the ladder. That dumpster did a good job of slowing me down, but broke my hip. 35 years later I still pay for that impact. Or as they say, "Close encounters of the ouch kind". Keeping the area around the base of the ladder clutter free also makes setting up and taking down the ladder easier and safer.
Good job, I was in the fire service for 18 years and although I never really got completely comfortable with heights they taught us to keep our hands on the ladder rungs and transfer one hand at the time to the next rung therefore always having a hand holding on.
I know I look like an imbecile climbing a ladder, however I try to keep 2-3 points of contact at all time. Yeah, I'm not carrying bundles of shingles up the ladder, however so far a piece of rope, maybe a leather bag has been sufficient to sling over my shoulder to keep my hands free. Prob won't work if you're actually working though.
Modern method is hands on the back side of the rails, and to pull yourself in hard if you run into trouble or slip, which will use your entire body as a brake against the rungs
Use fiberglass 28’ and 32’ to extension ladders every day. The current standard is 3 points of contact at all times, whether that be grabbing the rungs or the rails. Anything brought up is attached to your climbing belt or a hand line to be hoisted up after you reach the top.
Fiberglass ladders more than a month old you'll never want to grab the stringers on the way up or down. Insurance adjuster and I hate the dismount. Minor heat exhaustion and had to ask a nearby yard worker to hold the ladder; incredible amounts of confidence instilled by another human being helping and being present. Thanks buddy.
One issue with gripping the ladder's side one-armed is that if you fall backwards your body will swing to the side as you hold on to the side of the ladder, just like a pendulum. Whereas if you grip the rung (ideally close to the center) your arm is more aligned to your equipment's and body's center of mass, so you'd not swing to the side. If you carry heavy objects with your other arms it's very easy for it to fall backwards and taking you with it if you hold on to it for a bit too long. It doesn't take much to lose your balance past a point of no return. Also the bigger the object is you are carrying with one arm, the bigger the angle for your center of mass is relative to where you hold on to with your other arm.
Good point, risk swinging vs standing unsupported in the ladder. A heavy or big objec can also provide a counterweight, like a bucket of pain on left side of the ladder while you hold the ladder with your right hand. The close the object is to your centermass, the more likely it is to swing you away. You (should) never carry something out behand your back with 1 arm, have it behind the ladder to pull you inn
Ladders are no joke. IMO they are one of the most dangerous tools you can use on site or at home. Any mistake could be life altering in a split second. Thank you for sharing all your invaluable knowledge and experience for generations to come 👊 this channel is an incredible resource.
All true. Well done. Very close friend of mine in the trades ended his career at 47 years old. These ladders are no joke. Be safe. It takes only a split second for things to go horribly wrong
I'll be 60 in just a couple of months, and your earlier ladder video probably saved my life when I prepped and painted a two-story rental property by myself a couple of years ago. I appreciate your willingness to pass along skills and techniques that allow us all to work better and more safely.
Great advice. I would add that when working with ladders there's one item in particular that stands out for me as a huge safety boost. The "Lock Jaw" ladder safety grip. It attaches to the top of the ladder, grips onto the roof gutter and holds the top of the ladder firmly so that it can't slip. I got one a few years ago and feel 100% more confident and safe, especially in that transition from ladder to roof because you have a super solid ladder to hold onto and you know it's not going anywhere. Best $90 safety spend ever.
It is amazing how so few actually know how to use a ladder safely or at least as safely is possible, I was a painting contractor for a lot of years and i made my living on the top of a ladder, I did some crazy things when I was young, now in my 70's I don't get on anything taller than a 6 foot ladder. I let a young buck do the tall stuff. my wife prayed for me every morning to keep me safe as I did what needed to be done. she was right to do that, I lost track of the times i was on the top rung of a 40 foot ladder, they don't make them anymore but I spent a lot of time on one. yes the transition between a ladder and a roof is critical for sure, it begins before you ever get on the ladder, the feet of the ladder needs to be securely planted if there is any hopes of making a safe transition.
The rule at my prior job (and I have no idea if it meets OSHA) was "only carry in one hand after the ladder is secured, and never on the first trip". I've carried many a shingle bundle up a 36' ladder. My personal rule on a roof. Any time you take your phone out of your pocket, take a knee, and stay that way till you put it away. That way you won't wander off the edge while distracted.
My Dad had his extension ladder fully extended and couldn't quite reach the peak of the house so he put it on a wooden crate! The crate held and the ladder didn't slip off it but the device that locks the rungs together failed when he got to the top. He was holding on to the sides instead of the rungs so when the two sections came together they cut his palms open and he dropped the rest of the way, through the wooden crate at the bottom! No broken bones but man what a fall! 😵💫 He apparently fell off a lot of ladders without breaking any bones but probably the best was into a hedge with an electric hedge trimmer and he managed to cut through the cord as he fell 🫣 God probably doesn't let him climb ladders anymore ❤😊
My brother fell off a ladder at his own home and he doesn't really know what happened, but they think a sharp branch he had just cut sliced his head open as he fell. They stapled and stitched him back up, he was okay in a month or so.
Its a great guide for people who have no problem on ladders to begin with. Most people who have no problem with heights can judge ladder safety themselves basically. but if you aren't comfortable on a ladder or roof, none of this will help. I can work on a ladder to an extent, but as soon as you get me near a roof, i cant do it. I crawled onto the roof of my shed on my stomach and i wouldnt get up. too scary. Getting off the roof took me about 20 minutes of slithering and shuffling onto the ladder which had about 5 feet above the shed roof.
Thanks for this. Getting on and off of a roof remains something that is super scary to me, much to my wife’s dismay. Even watching you get up there gave me the willies. I’ve never extended the ladder 3 foot over the roof though, so hopefully that will help. Thanks a ton for all you do on UA-cam.
Definitely extend the 3 rungs past the roof line. Too many and you risk kicking it. Also, make sure the rung at the roof line isn't so close to the house that you're forced to stand on your toes. Adjust the angle a little so you can stand on it comfortably. You should feel much safer mounting and dismounting. I do masonry so I have to do it one handed with buckets of Mortar and tongs of brick. Scared the crap out of me when I first started out. Took a while to get used to but it becomes second nature as you get more comfortable. I follow these tips and I've never fallen. Good luck. Stay safe.
As a second generation roofing contractor, I approve this video! The one thing I would add to safety measures, is always make certain there are four points of contact on an extension ladder. Two on the ground and two on the roof. Sometimes, one side of the ladder will be off the roof and in the air. When this happens, the closer your body weight gets to the roof, The more the opposite foot is being torqued wanting to kick out from underneath you. Ask me how I learned how critical this is on a slippery redwood deck :-)
Hello Scott. I really enjoy all of your videos. I've worked construction my whole career. Retired 17 years ago but still enjoy watching. Love your thinking and methods. Many things you advocate I've learnded or discovered on my own. It's great to have confirmation of my own methods and nice to discover new ways of doing things. One thing I'd like to add is that I tie off the top end of the ladder with a rope or bungee cord so that both the bottom and the top are secured. Can't blow down or be bumped by someone passing by. Also when setting up the ladder, I put the feet against the bottom of the wall / ground and then walk the ladder up over head until vertical, then work the bottom out to the correct angle. Makes it easy, especially when working alone. Thanks for your time and all that youdo. Keep up the good work!
I think you missed an important thing to watch out for: accidentally stepping off the ladder from the second rung thinking it is the bottom rung. I've done this multiple times (especially a step ladder) because I was not watching the rungs as I got off. Don't let your guard down until you have both feet off the ground, similar to watching the ball go into your glove in baseball or making sure you catch the football first before making a move to avoid the defender. If the sports pros still make those mistakes so can we.
What a great video, at 73 and spending my whole life working about ladders, and have always felt comfortable with them, but lately, as I was going on my Fifth wheel roof the transition between ladder and roof felt uncomfortable. I think it might be my time for somebody else to do it, I want to enjoy what time is left. Thanks for opening my eyes.
As a roofer I try to avoid climbing onto a roof from the gable wall to keep the ladder resting on a nice square eave so it can't slide down the pitch of the roof. I also always hold onto the ladder from the center of the rungs so you don't tip it sideways when you pull on it when you slip. Last thing I feel I need to add is that 3 ft or the osha required amount of ladder above the roof is one of the most dangerous osha regulations because anywhere from 2 inches of visibility up to 18-24 inches is my max comfort because I never climb onto a ladder from the side. Get on all 4s and maintain 3 points of contact on the roof while engaging the ladder with 1 foot and then you can move your 2 hands 1 at a time to be your 3 points of contact on the ladder constantly even when carrying things. Much safer than having too much ladder be in between you and the balance point on that ladder. My first step is on the balance point with my whole body inline instead of beside it ready to push the ladder off the roof with a slight imbalance
ONLY on very steep roofs, it is easier to get on the roof with only 1 or 2 foot over the gutter and having the ladder at a closer to vertical angle. I can keep my center of gravity in a better place while getting on and off the ladder. This has serious trade offs. One, you have to keep your chest glued to the rungs while climbing. Two, the ladder MUST be secured to the gutter. Three, a rope from the ridge is recommended. The above is not osha approved. The above is not approved by me. I do encourage you to understand why it is progressively harder to get on and off progressively steeper roofs. That is because the ladder portion above the gutter is closer to parallel to the very steep roofs and you have to move your center of gravity, otherwise known as your belly button farther out into scary places to get around the top of the ladder when you get on and off the ladder. Center of gravity is everything in climbing a ladder. I am not brave by nature. I go by the saying, "There are old roofers and there are brave roofers, but there are no brave old roofers." At 62 I am an old roofer.
I spent a summer climbing extension ladders as a student working for a company called "College Pro Painters". It was a franchise business. Basically students ran it in a territory for the summer and hired other students. Zero safety training. And nearly zero painting training. They were busy because they were probably half the price of the professional painters who cared about safety and actually knew how to paint. In retrospect, the most dangerous job I've ever had, and I'd never hire a student painting contractor.
I'm glad I watched this. I've always felt I was a wimp by being worried getting off the top of a ladder, I'm glad my caution is sensible and the tips here are invaluable.
I worked for the same company for 35 years, they built bridges all over the country. they always used job-built ladders, at the top they built them so you could walk through the ladder rails. That made the transfer much safer.
I have used the original ladder video that you made for my training purposes. The exact part that I stop it and add lib is the personal responsibility of being safe. I drive that point home during my OSHA classes. Your video helps so much. Thank you sir. Ladder safety videos part 2 I can’t wait to share it with my students.
OSHA puts the transitional height at a minimum of 48”, either between a ladder and a surface or from one ladder to another ladder; the latter being a horizontal transfer and doesn’t include a change in height. Also it is good practice to secure the top of the ladder, if it’s portable; attaching a ladder or strapping it to a line or pole, should be the first thing as far as a best practice; unfortunately safety is rarely ever actually first on sights or in real life as safety, true safety, takes time. I’d also note with regard to aluminum ladders carried vertically should be treated much like lift or crane booms as you should always be looking for aerial obstructions and especially POWER LINES.
OSHA does not always offer best practices. For example a few decades ago they mandated that ladder jacks could not open enough to compensate if you set your ladder at a steep angle. I guess they reasoned that it was unsafe to have a ladder at a steep angle. But that left my walk board unlevel. Working around old houses with bushes and trees sometimes required using a ladder at a steep angle. I would just plant the ladder into the ground and it couldn't move so the steep angle was safe. I could either put something between the walkboard and jack to level it, which was dangerous should it fall off, or work on an unlevel walk board, which was also treacherous. In an attempt to solve a problem OSHA created a bigger, recurring one for me. I live in the USA but fortunately I was able to locate a pair of the old jacks for sale from Canada.
Great ladder safety video. I've spent 40+ years on and off ladders. usually packing stuff up ladders and this was great. (Usually exceeding the load rating of the ladder.) The only caveat I would say and this is in regards to homeowners; if you don't feel comfortable on a ladder, DON"T use one. I've had to go up 40' ladders a couple of times and "rescue" someone who froze because they found out too late that they didn't mix with ladders. it is not a comfortable feeling trying to talk someone down a ladder when they are in a panic.
I tightly tie the ladder to the structure I am climbing, typically about 1/2-2/3 up to prevent it from slipping out. I use ladder stabilizer. I use both hands on the ladder and carry loads in a pail and hoist it up with a rope. I carry my cellphone with me if happen to get stuck on the roof. If I go on a roof while alone, I let someone know when I go up, and go down, and how long I expect to be on the roof.
I've never had any kind of anxiety transitioning from the ladder to the roof. I get mad anxiety no matter how I do it when transitioning from the roof to the ladder and have done it tens of thousands of times I am sure. I have been fortunate to have never fallen off a ladder though. I got anxiety just watching you do it, even though you were doing as safely as you know how
We have extensive ladder training, three points of contact at all times. One foot two hands, two feet one hand while climbing. And use a toolbelt or pull anything else up by a rope.
This is also what I learned. Always three points of contact. That also means you can not use both hands when working on something. If you need both hands, use a scaffold instead of a ladder. You can also work much faster on a scaffold.
I miss your blacksmithing clips. Thanks for making great videos and being such a good knowledgeable role model. Your videos are always great, and I learn new things every single time 😊
One thing that might be added..... I have been on a roof, working alone and nobody else within earshot, with an extended ladder being my only way down, only to have a strong gust of wind blow the ladder over (and down). Could not shout for help. Even if I were to sort of slide over the edge to let myself down to hanging from fingers and then drop to land on my feet, the distance would be enough that something would probably get broken. In the above situation, what ended up saving me was that I had used a rope to pull tools up to the roof, and one end was still tied to the top rung of the ladder and the other end I had tied to a 5 gallon bucket that I had pulled the tools up in, and it remained on the roof, even after the ladder fell. Looking over the side at the ladder on the ground, I saw that the upper half of the extension ladder had slipped out of its extension channel but the other side was still hooked in. I was able to pull the ladder's top end up by using the rope, careful to not allow the lower half of the ladder to disengage that one remaining channel hook. BTW, I was laying on my belly and only head and shoulders were over the roof edge. I only pulled the ladder up high enough to re-engage the other channel hook, and then gently lowered it back down to touching the ground. Putting my weight back onto that ladder was one of the riskiest feeling gambles I ever made in my life, but it worked and I got back down. Since that episode I now do things differently: 1) I have a bungee cord attached at its ends to two strong spring clamps, such that I can weave the cord around the ladder rung just below the edge of the roof, and climb to that height, then move the clamps to the edges of the rain gutter (if there is one) on both sides of the ladder, or clamp under the edge shingles, or whatever they will fit, to essentially tie the ladder to the edge of the roof; this is solely to prevent it falling over in the wind, etc. 2) I got some wide (e.g. 2" wide) double-sided Velcro strap from the hardware store, and cut two short pieces perhaps 18" long each. Once I have extended the ladder, I wrap these Velcro straps around the rails near the channel hooks, preventing upper and lower rails from becoming disengaged from each other. 3) I always have a rope tied to the top rung and the other end fixed to something on the roof, so if it goes over in spite of item (1) above, I can still pull it back up, and with the two straps per item (2) above, it won't come apart if it does fall. 4) I don't go up on a ladder and/or roof (or any other place where I might possibly fall, get stuck, etc;) without having my mobile phone attached to my body so I can call for help.
working for the phone company many years ago, our extension ladder training and the ladders themselves were excellent. We “shouldered” the ladders to carry them, planting one ladder foot, easing it down on your shoulder, one hand on top rail above you, the other in front of you holding the bottom rail, lift and go. I feel it’s a little better, affording more control.
I went through thr same training as you. It really is a lot easier and gives more controll. We also had pre-built stepped wedges that we used to shim ladders.
@@phonedave ladder chocks, I should have taken one home. How about going to the span, supposedly raising via rope, yikes. Humped those ladders over hill & dale, through rowhouses, etc
One thing I have seen done at several job sites that I have been on is to tie the ladder off at the top if it can possibly be done with a bungee cord or some way with a strap to fasten it
After watching your original ladder safety video, I was forced to ask myself a valuable question: What are the things in my life that I pretend are safe, but are actually quite dangerous? The answer at the time was obvious: a casual and careless relationship with alcohol. This August will be 4 years sober for me. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and wisdom, it sometimes lands in interesting ways.
While alcohol should score high on the "dangerus but pretend its safe" scale, driving should also be WAY up that list. Countless people die or are seriously hurt in traffic accidents every year, but we never think about that when getting behind the wheel...
@@ssu7653 We need to teach our kids that even before they drive, and remind ourselves of it too. A taxi driver I know stopped to let a mom and kid cross in the crosswalk and the driver behind her crashed into her and forced her vehicle forward enough to kill the child. That kid died under her vehicle because the person behind her simply wasn't paying attention.
Stepping onto a roof from a ladder or off a roof back onto a ladder is like a "leap of Faith" to me. Thanks for these good tips; I will use them in the future...
Thanks for posting this update. I was one of the ones asking for this. There are very few videos on his to climb on and off the roof. This video will be helpful for many people for years to come.
Thank you for the video. For me, getting off the ladder to the roof is nowhere near as bad as getting back on. I hold on to the rungs, even one-handed. Only once have I "ridden 'er down" as the legs slipped on an icy surface. If I had been holding the rails, the fingers of both hands would have been smashed. Also, I'll either "walk" the ladder to move it a short distance across the roof line or lower it to he ground and carry it horizontally. Lastly, after I set the ladder up, I'll pull it a little bit away from the roofline to be sure the legs are firmly stabilized on the ground. This helps prevent the ladder from shifting and sliding off sideways. Again, Thanks for the video!
I am a retired gas passer, and, in a galaxy long ago, I was a carpenter out in San Diego County for 7 years. In my medical career, I evolved a few rules to stay healthy and off my surgical table. One was that women just have to walk along and either their hip breaks and then they fall, or they fall and the hip is fractured. Men have to climb up to heights and then throw themselves off to break their bones. I am 73 now and am so unsteady that I don't do ladders. ( I can barely stand up sometimes ) Sobering fact: 50% of people are dead within one year of breaking their hips.
My elderly next door neighbor, Helen, climbed up one of those three-step folding "step-ladders" to change a light bulb in the basement. My wife found her 24-hours later. She'd fallen off and broke her hip. She died a year later.
It is crazy how much easier it is for women to break bones. When I was in the Army women were breaking ankles and legs left and right from things that for a guy would sprain or twist an ankle at worst.
People do treat a ladder as a very simple tool that any idiot can use, so thanks for reviewing all these strategies that improve the safety of this statistically dangerous equipment. For me, there is nothing worse than feeling nervous on a ladder and that nervousness melts away if you know your ladder is secure and you've done everything possible to make it as safe as possible and as you strongly stated; "Pay Attention". Also note that a good ladder stabilizer positioned at the roof level is a great addition to the ladder and tying-off to secure the ladder at the gutter level is a good practice where practical. On soft ground, like a lawn, I always carry a small trowel to dig a shallow divot to place the legs, which is easily pressed back in place to disappear. I often place a 2X4, about 24 inches long across the feet at the base and stake it with a couple of screw drivers, about 12" long, to prevent the bottom from ever kicking out. There are a number of great leg leveling devices on the market to level the feet, but unfortunately, they can typically cost as much as the ladder itself, so I see few people that own them. The leg leveling problem with ladders is so prevalent, that a quality leg leveling device should be mandatory for every ladder.
Always hold the rails of the ladder, in the UK this dates back to when the ladders were wooden and if you grabbed a rung, it could have muck, stones or even glass embedded in the rung from other boots that have already gone up the ladder. Last thing you want is to grab a rung only to find its sharp and for your natural instinct to be to let go and pull your hand away.
Things that made sense long ago don't always make sense now. Trying holding the side of the ladder with 1 hand, and simulate your 1 foot supporting your weight slipping of the rung. Do this on the first rung on grass if possible, see if you have the grip strength to hold your 180-200+# long enough to get one foot back on a rung. Would like to see a video on anyone who can do it. Ladder, roofs, gloves.
Sooner or later, you will miss a rung, or find your hand to be surprisingly cold or slippery. I've climbed more than my share of hard mounted ladders and I effing hated those things, partly because they nearly forced me to use the rungs for hand grip.
Great video on ladder safety. The transition from ladder to roof and vice versa is where I see most people freak out. You did a good job of explaining this. Thanks for the video!
I’m 75 and this was an exceptionally helpful video. I’m hoping my wife will feel better about my climbing ladders now but probably not. Thank you so much.
You can also easily get them turned backwards in their orientation, where the rungs aren't in a flat position. The bottom portion (with the cleats) needs to be BEHIND the extension portion if you're looking at the ladder from the front.
I’m sixty nine and still using ladders occasionally. For what it’s worth I tie the ladder top and bottom whenever possible using (say) quarter inch rope and tension with a Waggoner hitch. This way the ladder cannot slew sideways, especially at the top. Also it cannot kick outward when getting off the roof. I also have a cradle I made which fastens onto wooden fascia boards, into which the latter fits and cannot move sideways. Thanks for your videos I respect you very much as a practical man and would be interested in your comments on my methods.Regards from England .
good advice! I'm 76 now and still climb a bit but was interested to see if I could learn more ladder safety. I like your rooftop extension ladder advice but I might just hire a younger person and pass on your advice.
Thank you for making this video. I thought there was something wrong me last year when I climbed a ladder up on to my roof. It was nerve wracking and now after watching this video, I see there’s a couple things I need to do differently.
My dad just fell off an 8ft step ladder, electrician for over 40 years. Scary to see first hand, for 5 hours in the hospital you would tell him what happened and 30 seconds later he would ask the same thing. Luckily he came out of it but scary to say the least. Don’t blow past this
You made almost a throwaway comment (I think during last years house build) that the worst job injury you ever had was when you missed the last step on a ladder and jarred your neck. I think about that every time I use one. Thanks for helping keep me safe!
As a building inspector I can get on 20+ roofs a day during hail season (right now 😱). A ladder must always always always be fastened or secured to the eave or gutter, or it's an immediate failed inspection. I will accept a bungee cord in good condition, but a ratchet strap is best. Really good info about transitioning from the ladder to the roof, my least favorite part of the operation
How does one secure the ladder without getting up on the ladder at least once without it being secured? Seems odd to immediately fail inspection if you don't actually know if anyone has been up the ladder the first time yet in order to secure it...
@ixamraxi if a ladder is put against a building it should be secured straight away and not be left unattended until it has been, id imagine if he sees someone putting it there and going up to secure it, it wouldn't be a fail, but if a ladder is just resting there unsecured anyone could go up it before it has been secured
@@oceallaigh1218 He didn't specify that the ladder appears unattended. The problem I was pointing out is that it presumes the ladder has been there for a while, and that people have been up more than once (since the first time its used it should be to secure it). There have been several times where I've been on a site where someone set a ladder into place, went to something they either forgot or will need (such as a new securing strap due to fray or wear), and informed others to hold before using it. It presumes the ladder has been used improperly even if it hasn't.
As a Fireman, we were subjected to ladder training quite often..It is a dangerous appliance to operate and it is even more dangerous when time is a factor coupled with an emergency situation..Having a second person to "foot" the ladder whenever possible is good..When carrying things up a ladder we would use a strap and keep both hands free to hold on to the ladder..I prefer using the rungs when climbing..Watching for overhead obstacles ( live wires) is important...Very good video..We can't be careful enough when handleing and climbing a ladder..I don't like climbing ladders anymore..Father time has saw to that (80)---thank you!
Make sure you have four rungs showing above the roof line. This will give you at least 36 inches to the top rung. Three runs is not high enough. Thanks for the video you guys are great.
Pretty much nailed it. Been climbing ladders and swingin' hammers for close to three decades and I do nearly exactly what you have shown here. Never once have I fallen from, or had an accident with a ladder.
I'm pretty sure I first discovered this channel because I was looking for ladder safety tips and found your last video on this. I now have a garage with a loft that must be accessed via an extension ladder, and I'm in the process of moving things up there for storage. I watched this video last night, and then today had to move a bunch of lumber off-cuts up to the loft. It was great to have a chance to try out these tips in practice while I did this repetitive task. I found that I could carry 1-2 pieces in one hand, slide my free hand along the rails as shown, and deposit the wood on the loft floor after only climbing four rungs. Then climb back down with hands on the rungs, and repeat. Once I had moved enough pieces up to the loft, then I would go all the way up, carefully step onto the platform, and then work away from the edge to move the lumber into the storage area. I also got to experiment with ladder height and positioning to make sure it was stable and that I couldn't kick it out while getting on or off it. Thanks for this great video - the comment that the ladder is the most dangerous tool on any job site is important to take to heart.
Don’t think you mentioned that it’s a really bad idea to lean a ladder against a rake edge (ie sloping edge). Also, if the edge you’re leaning against has a gutter, use stand-off brackets
Great video! I don't usually comment, but having seen the first ladder video and this one as well, I have a couple of additional important tips. For a little background, I spent over a decade working at a hazardous chemical plant where safety was a never ending topic, and also did some contracting work which included some very uncomfortably high ladder work. First, it's good to use a 1 to 4 ratio to set the base of your ladder. For example, if the top of your ladder is resting on the side of a house 20' up, the base (feet) of the ladder should be about 5' out (perpendicular) from the wall. In the case of this video it would be a 1 to 4 ratio from where the ladder was resting on the building not including the 3' overhang. This is supposed to be an optimal ladder angle. The second tip (important! especially if you're going high) once you set your ladder and make any adjustments as shown in this video and it looks right, stand on bottom rung with both feet and pull the ladder away from the structure a few inches and watch for side to side movement at the top. If it pulls away from the structure straight with no side to side movement and returns to where you had it, it should be safe. If not, stabilize your ladder again. Lastly, If you are high enough in the air to fall and possibly kill yourself, why would you buy a cheap ladder? Not a tool to save money on.
Yeah, I don't buy the claim that one way is *always* better than the other. If you're on relatively soft ground, using wide flat shims on both legs will keep the feet from settling unevenly as you climb. Sure, a small chunk of 2x4 that the foot might slip off is a bad idea, or an unstable stack of small pieces, but if you have a nice wide plywood or 2X10 pieces (for example) there's nothing wrong with shimming
This video would have helped me 35 yrs ago. Last summer before I graduated college I got a summer job at a "old folks" home. I was on the painting detail and I had to go up 2-3 stories on the exterior of the building to paint window frames and roof protrusions. No training on how to dismount on/off a roof or a ladder jack ! And the old timers thought it was hilarious that us young guys were a little bit 'timid' in our ladder skills ! That job was the highest I have ever been on an extension ladder to this day ; and I eventually ended up working in building maintenance .
Thank you for posting this. I went on the roof of a mini barn to push the ducks off to get them in the pen. It was dark and I didn’t know how to get down. I’m alone on a farm looking after a friends animals. MAN, YOU SAVED ME! Thank you so much for this video. 😊
Thank you so much. You explained it so well. I was surprised how easy it was transitioning down onto the ladder once you showed me how. I had no idea until I watched this.
This last weekend I had to get up and repair a leaking roof. Thanks to your video I was confident transitioning from the ladder to the roof, and returning to the ladder to descend. Took my time, watched my footing and ensured my centre of gravity was always dead centre over the ladder. Thanks, 🙏
This is 100% the best explanation of how to safely get on the roof with a ladder. I always get to the top and just can’t swing my foot to the side. Thank you so much for making this clear and showing all the steps necessary for safe operation!
When stepping from the top of the ladder onto a SLOPING roof, don’t falter as you move from the ladder to the roof, keep going. I made the mistake of stopping half way to push myself off the ladder and my balance wanted to lean me back off the roof. Let myself drop onto the roof and recovered by crawling up the tiles. So easy to get it wrong. Good informative video 👍
![How To Walk On A Roof Safely [Roofer Tips]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_2TcVa9SNI0/mqdefault.jpg)
i am 65 and used to clean my gutters on my single story home every fall. Until last fall when i started up the ladder and felt afraid. Got three rungs up and thought nope. Not going up a ladder again. Time for everything in life and my ladder days are done. Enjoy your videos.
It's the time of the season...
Smart move, knowing when you should stop.
@@DonnieDarko727, So said the Zombies. Lol
You said every fall.
for those woho did not know. everyone is a fall risk. babies fall when they learn to walk but bike bumbles they bounce back. the come team of moe larry and curly and mon larry and shemp did comedies with babies ..
Kiefer and shawna married merged into a his and hers duo called Thompson square. the had a plug and play in their bermuda triangle in the bush under her bikini line and under his sperdo line. kiefer had a clima
more after my vision problems clear up.
I have been a builder for 30 plus years. Been on some sketchy ladders and some not safe situations over the years. I did finally fall off a ladder but not on a job site. On my own house in a very safe situation with the ladder planted firmly in my driveway. The mistake I made was letting all these years of experience get in the way of best practices. I fell 20 feet, landed on my feet and shattered a vertebrae in my spine! Sense then I have broken my lower back due to the issues from that first fall. I am in constant pain and it all circles back to this single moment not taking this seriously. Watch this video several times… even if you have experience. Take it seriously because a broken back can ruin you carrier. Thanks for another great video Scott. Keep up the good work
Wow! Thanks for sharing your experience
We can always learn something new or get refreshed on a task or skill. Always keep an open mind. You never know when you might benefit from watching others.
Being in Your Comfort Zone Can Mean Taking More Risk. Apparently, 52 percent of all car accidents occur within a five-mile radius of home, and 69 percent of all collisions happen within a 10-mile radius from home.
As they say in the military "complacency kills". Glad your injury wasn't worse.
Since then... Good luck with your back.
I love people who update their opinion when given new evidence. Salute.
damn straight!
Bayes therom at work! Love a Bayesian.
ignore the shit they spouted in the first place, is why we end up with trumps and musks lol
I am confident this is the most important video that anyone watching will be seeing all day, most likely longer. Thank you for this ESSENTIAL information.
I can do commercial fixed rooftop ladders at pretty much any height, but extension ladders and their wobbly ass bounciness are a huge nope for me. I like to be as informed as possible so at least I can fall back on being certain I'm doing everything safely, so this helps a lot. I also find it kind of reassuring that folks here twice my age and with way more experience still get anxiety on these things. I feel less alone and less like a failure for being afraid of extension ladders.
It’s rare to find a video these days without controversy. It’s even rarer to find a creator go out of their way to address the controversy head-on and clearly explain both sides to let the audience decide.
From someone who had to go onto the roof for the first time this weekend, a big thank you for boosting my confidence!
You are the patient and inspiring “foreman” many of us never had. Thanks, boss.
Dear Mr. Scott thank you for your help with the video. I would like to share when I was with the fire department for 28 years we would practice ladder safety at least 1 or 2 times a year. One thing that was taught and stressed was the angle of the ladder. The rule was, when you step up on the first rung extend your arms and hold on to the ladder your back should be vertical. Not to far back and not to far forward. That is all I would like to share.
Thanks, that's a great complement to the video.
As a retired builder and old guy, my house and outbuildings all have an eye bolt screwed in near the roof at the ladder locations. The first thing I do is firmly tie off the ladder before climbing off the ladder onto the roof, that way I know if anything happens, I can grab the ladder with confidence that it is not going anywhere. I know this practice has saved my suspenders!
is it hard to install eye bolts on the roof??
@@tricatfilms6136 No, not on the roof. Install it in the facia, soffit, or wall near the roof where you can tie off the ladder to keep it from sliding sideways.
true even a good adjustable clamp can give you a little extra security from slip sliding at the top.
I’ve also used an eye bolt at the bottom, so there is no way it can slide out.
@@rodgraff1782 Smooth concrete, especially on warehouse floors, is especially dangerous. I used to have 2 40-lb sand bags that I would put on each leg of the ladder to stabilize it.
After 44 years in the building trade, the last 10 working nuclear power plant refuels, this is by far the best ladder safety information I've ever seen. Thank You for posting.
imagine the amount of spleens this video will save
the nuclear plants i have worked at won't even let people use ladders they would build a scaffold for everything
I’ve been climbing ladders for over thirty years as an owner of a log cabin in Northern Wisconsin. I can confirm that transitioning from ladder to roof and back again elevates the heart rate and I’m sure my blood pressure! You made me think about how I use the ladder and I will be changing some of my techniques. Thanks for a very informative video.
Scariest thing in the world for me is the transition to the roof. This is super helpful information for me. Stay safe folks, I lost my uncle to a ladder fall and he had been using one for decades.
great...now i'm more scared. sorry for your uncle though.
@miked6523 appreciate it, stay safe and do it right.
What a class act. So knowledgeable yet still willing to reflect and consider alternatives. I take that as the most valuable advice in this video
Been using one of those things on the regular at work for almost eight years.
Nothing but facts in this vid.
Been to a few job sites where the only way to get up to the roof was on a sloped driveway (due to obstructions and other nonsense on the roof, and then too much height further along). The customer got *really* upset when I told him that wasn't happening, not in the wintertime, not on an ice covered drive with a slope in it. No way. He wanted me to salt the drive up and I told him he could do that all winter if he wanted to, I'd be back when the ground thawed.
Sometimes, the best way to go up a ladder is to NOT go up a ladder.
As a new homeowner who just got on his roof for the first time, I appreciate this video and your channel immensely. Job well done.
6:30 good idea to make a mark with paint or something like that, about eye or hand hight on the outside ladder. That way you will always know WHEN your changing onto 1 ladder :)
When carrying a ladder vertically the very first thing you need to do is check the route you will be taking for overhead restrictions such as branches and particularly electric cables
Yup, checking overhead is absolutely the first thing you do, EVERY time .. Ladder climbers, take note! Also, If you aren't chock full of common sense, let someone else climb/ move that ladder. You need your wits about you at ALL times on the job site, and dealing with ladders is certainly no exception.
When possible - it is always best to pin or tie-back the ladder at both the top and bottom. This prevents kickout at the bottom and keeps the top from sliding.
I’m 32. In 15 years of trade I have never been able to shake my anxiety when I have to go up a ladder. Anything over 2 stories and I feel it. In my feet and hands, that’s tingling anxiety. I take them so very very seriously. They’re so incredibly dangerous but so very useful. Wonderful video
Great video. As someone who fell two floors plus from the top of a ladder, and hit a steel garbage dumpster on the way down, I also suggest, if possible, setting ladders where there is open ground around the base of the ladder. That dumpster did a good job of slowing me down, but broke my hip. 35 years later I still pay for that impact. Or as they say, "Close encounters of the ouch kind". Keeping the area around the base of the ladder clutter free also makes setting up and taking down the ladder easier and safer.
Good job, I was in the fire service for 18 years and although I never really got completely comfortable with heights they taught us to keep our hands on the ladder rungs and transfer one hand at the time to the next rung therefore always having a hand holding on.
I know I look like an imbecile climbing a ladder, however I try to keep 2-3 points of contact at all time. Yeah, I'm not carrying bundles of shingles up the ladder, however so far a piece of rope, maybe a leather bag has been sufficient to sling over my shoulder to keep my hands free. Prob won't work if you're actually working though.
Modern method is hands on the back side of the rails, and to pull yourself in hard if you run into trouble or slip, which will use your entire body as a brake against the rungs
Use fiberglass 28’ and 32’ to extension ladders every day. The current standard is 3 points of contact at all times, whether that be grabbing the rungs or the rails. Anything brought up is attached to your climbing belt or a hand line to be hoisted up after you reach the top.
Fiberglass ladders more than a month old you'll never want to grab the stringers on the way up or down. Insurance adjuster and I hate the dismount. Minor heat exhaustion and had to ask a nearby yard worker to hold the ladder; incredible amounts of confidence instilled by another human being helping and being present. Thanks buddy.
One issue with gripping the ladder's side one-armed is that if you fall backwards your body will swing to the side as you hold on to the side of the ladder, just like a pendulum. Whereas if you grip the rung (ideally close to the center) your arm is more aligned to your equipment's and body's center of mass, so you'd not swing to the side. If you carry heavy objects with your other arms it's very easy for it to fall backwards and taking you with it if you hold on to it for a bit too long. It doesn't take much to lose your balance past a point of no return. Also the bigger the object is you are carrying with one arm, the bigger the angle for your center of mass is relative to where you hold on to with your other arm.
Good point, risk swinging vs standing unsupported in the ladder.
A heavy or big objec can also provide a counterweight, like a bucket of pain on left side of the ladder while you hold the ladder with your right hand. The close the object is to your centermass, the more likely it is to swing you away. You (should) never carry something out behand your back with 1 arm, have it behind the ladder to pull you inn
Ladders are no joke. IMO they are one of the most dangerous tools you can use on site or at home. Any mistake could be life altering in a split second.
Thank you for sharing all your invaluable knowledge and experience for generations to come 👊 this channel is an incredible resource.
All true. Well done. Very close friend of mine in the trades ended his career at 47 years old. These ladders are no joke. Be safe. It takes only a split second for things to go horribly wrong
I'll be 60 in just a couple of months, and your earlier ladder video probably saved my life when I prepped and painted a two-story rental property by myself a couple of years ago. I appreciate your willingness to pass along skills and techniques that allow us all to work better and more safely.
Great advice.
I would add that when working with ladders there's one item in particular that stands out for me as a huge safety boost.
The "Lock Jaw" ladder safety grip.
It attaches to the top of the ladder, grips onto the roof gutter and holds the top of the ladder firmly so that it can't slip.
I got one a few years ago and feel 100% more confident and safe, especially in that transition from ladder to roof because you have a super solid ladder to hold onto and you know it's not going anywhere.
Best $90 safety spend ever.
Interesting.
It is amazing how so few actually know how to use a ladder safely or at least as safely is possible, I was a painting contractor for a lot of years and i made my living on the top of a ladder, I did some crazy things when I was young, now in my 70's I don't get on anything taller than a 6 foot ladder. I let a young buck do the tall stuff. my wife prayed for me every morning to keep me safe as I did what needed to be done. she was right to do that, I lost track of the times i was on the top rung of a 40 foot ladder, they don't make them anymore but I spent a lot of time on one. yes the transition between a ladder and a roof is critical for sure, it begins before you ever get on the ladder, the feet of the ladder needs to be securely planted if there is any hopes of making a safe transition.
It's been ages since I last saw a safety video on ladders. I do appreciate it. Well done and Thank you.
The rule at my prior job (and I have no idea if it meets OSHA) was "only carry in one hand after the ladder is secured, and never on the first trip".
I've carried many a shingle bundle up a 36' ladder.
My personal rule on a roof. Any time you take your phone out of your pocket, take a knee, and stay that way till you put it away. That way you won't wander off the edge while distracted.
I never thought of the hazards that phones create on a construction site.
First trip up is with a tie and a rope attached to the bucket of tools that you left on the ground.
Per OSHA never carry anything in your hands when climbing a ladder
That's good rule
My rule is,phone stays below,I need my concentration on the roof
My Dad had his extension ladder fully extended and couldn't quite reach the peak of the house so he put it on a wooden crate! The crate held and the ladder didn't slip off it but the device that locks the rungs together failed when he got to the top. He was holding on to the sides instead of the rungs so when the two sections came together they cut his palms open and he dropped the rest of the way, through the wooden crate at the bottom! No broken bones but man what a fall! 😵💫 He apparently fell off a lot of ladders without breaking any bones but probably the best was into a hedge with an electric hedge trimmer and he managed to cut through the cord as he fell 🫣 God probably doesn't let him climb ladders anymore ❤😊
My brother fell off a ladder at his own home and he doesn't really know what happened, but they think a sharp branch he had just cut sliced his head open as he fell. They stapled and stitched him back up, he was okay in a month or so.
Its a great guide for people who have no problem on ladders to begin with. Most people who have no problem with heights can judge ladder safety themselves basically.
but if you aren't comfortable on a ladder or roof, none of this will help. I can work on a ladder to an extent, but as soon as you get me near a roof, i cant do it. I crawled onto the roof of my shed on my stomach and i wouldnt get up. too scary. Getting off the roof took me about 20 minutes of slithering and shuffling onto the ladder which had about 5 feet above the shed roof.
Thanks for this. Getting on and off of a roof remains something that is super scary to me, much to my wife’s dismay. Even watching you get up there gave me the willies.
I’ve never extended the ladder 3 foot over the roof though, so hopefully that will help. Thanks a ton for all you do on UA-cam.
Definitely extend the 3 rungs past the roof line. Too many and you risk kicking it. Also, make sure the rung at the roof line isn't so close to the house that you're forced to stand on your toes. Adjust the angle a little so you can stand on it comfortably. You should feel much safer mounting and dismounting.
I do masonry so I have to do it one handed with buckets of Mortar and tongs of brick. Scared the crap out of me when I first started out. Took a while to get used to but it becomes second nature as you get more comfortable. I follow these tips and I've never fallen.
Good luck. Stay safe.
Your wife is dismayed you're scared of falling off a ladder?
As a second generation roofing contractor, I approve this video! The one thing I would add to safety measures, is always make certain there are four points of contact on an extension ladder. Two on the ground and two on the roof. Sometimes, one side of the ladder will be off the roof and in the air. When this happens, the closer your body weight gets to the roof, The more the opposite foot is being torqued wanting to kick out from underneath you. Ask me how I learned how critical this is on a slippery redwood deck :-)
Ladders aren't a joke... Great video
Hello Scott. I really enjoy all of your videos. I've worked construction my whole career. Retired 17 years ago but still enjoy watching. Love your thinking and methods. Many things you advocate I've learnded or discovered on my own. It's great to have confirmation of my own methods and nice to discover new ways of doing things. One thing I'd like to add is that I tie off the top end of the ladder with a rope or bungee cord so that both the bottom and the top are secured. Can't blow down or be bumped by someone passing by. Also when setting up the ladder, I put the feet against the bottom of the wall / ground and then walk the ladder up over head until vertical, then work the bottom out to the correct angle. Makes it easy, especially when working alone. Thanks for your time and all that youdo. Keep up the good work!
I think you missed an important thing to watch out for: accidentally stepping off the ladder from the second rung thinking it is the bottom rung. I've done this multiple times (especially a step ladder) because I was not watching the rungs as I got off. Don't let your guard down until you have both feet off the ground, similar to watching the ball go into your glove in baseball or making sure you catch the football first before making a move to avoid the defender. If the sports pros still make those mistakes so can we.
Right on. Easy way to break an ankle, or worse.
That "thinking you're on step one" when you're on step two scenario is a good heart-stopper.
I've painted the bottom rung of my step ladders bright orange so I can easily glance down to make sure I'm on the bottom rung before I step off.
I've done that too. The solution is to always assume that your next step down will be another ladder rung until you actually feel the ground/floor.
Done that a few times and almost messed my pants every time!
What a great video, at 73 and spending my whole life working about ladders, and have always felt comfortable with them, but lately, as I was going on my Fifth wheel roof the transition between ladder and roof felt uncomfortable. I
think it might be my time for somebody else to do it, I want to enjoy what time is left. Thanks for opening my eyes.
As a roofer I try to avoid climbing onto a roof from the gable wall to keep the ladder resting on a nice square eave so it can't slide down the pitch of the roof. I also always hold onto the ladder from the center of the rungs so you don't tip it sideways when you pull on it when you slip. Last thing I feel I need to add is that 3 ft or the osha required amount of ladder above the roof is one of the most dangerous osha regulations because anywhere from 2 inches of visibility up to 18-24 inches is my max comfort because I never climb onto a ladder from the side. Get on all 4s and maintain 3 points of contact on the roof while engaging the ladder with 1 foot and then you can move your 2 hands 1 at a time to be your 3 points of contact on the ladder constantly even when carrying things. Much safer than having too much ladder be in between you and the balance point on that ladder. My first step is on the balance point with my whole body inline instead of beside it ready to push the ladder off the roof with a slight imbalance
I like your all 4s method, thanks for sharing it. I'm a homeowner and appreciate all the safety tips I can gather.
ONLY on very steep roofs, it is easier to get on the roof with only 1 or 2 foot over the gutter and having the ladder at a closer to vertical angle. I can keep my center of gravity in a better place while getting on and off the ladder. This has serious trade offs. One, you have to keep your chest glued to the rungs while climbing. Two, the ladder MUST be secured to the gutter. Three, a rope from the ridge is recommended. The above is not osha approved. The above is not approved by me. I do encourage you to understand why it is progressively harder to get on and off progressively steeper roofs. That is because the ladder portion above the gutter is closer to parallel to the very steep roofs and you have to move your center of gravity, otherwise known as your belly button farther out into scary places to get around the top of the ladder when you get on and off the ladder. Center of gravity is everything in climbing a ladder. I am not brave by nature. I go by the saying, "There are old roofers and there are brave roofers, but there are no brave old roofers." At 62 I am an old roofer.
I`m 80 and still going strong. Thank You for this info. I will use it this year!
Good work. I am 62. I will do my darnedest to be strong and sturdy enough to clean gutters and such when I am 80.
I spent a summer climbing extension ladders as a student working for a company called "College Pro Painters". It was a franchise business. Basically students ran it in a territory for the summer and hired other students. Zero safety training. And nearly zero painting training. They were busy because they were probably half the price of the professional painters who cared about safety and actually knew how to paint. In retrospect, the most dangerous job I've ever had, and I'd never hire a student painting contractor.
I remember back in the 80's seeing their signs "Earn $15/hr this Summer!" or something like that.
I'm glad I watched this. I've always felt I was a wimp by being worried getting off the top of a ladder, I'm glad my caution is sensible and the tips here are invaluable.
Before doing that vertical carry I would carefully look around to make sure there are no power lines in the path. Especially with an aluminum ladder.
I worked for the same company for 35 years, they built bridges all over the country. they always used job-built ladders, at the top they built them so you could walk through the ladder rails. That made the transfer much safer.
You forgot 1 important thing when carrying an aluminum ladder. Look out for overhead power lines.
Solid point!
I'm Shocked this wasn't mentioned! :)
Electrifying comment
@@rjtumble😂
Yeah, it’s a current issue
I have used the original ladder video that you made for my training purposes. The exact part that I stop it and add lib is the personal responsibility of being safe. I drive that point home during my OSHA classes. Your video helps so much. Thank you sir. Ladder safety videos part 2 I can’t wait to share it with my students.
OSHA puts the transitional height at a minimum of 48”, either between a ladder and a surface or from one ladder to another ladder; the latter being a horizontal transfer and doesn’t include a change in height.
Also it is good practice to secure the top of the ladder, if it’s portable; attaching a ladder or strapping it to a line or pole, should be the first thing as far as a best practice; unfortunately safety is rarely ever actually first on sights or in real life as safety, true safety, takes time.
I’d also note with regard to aluminum ladders carried vertically should be treated much like lift or crane booms as you should always be looking for aerial obstructions and especially POWER LINES.
OSHA does not always offer best practices. For example a few decades ago they mandated that ladder jacks could not open enough to compensate if you set your ladder at a steep angle. I guess they reasoned that it was unsafe to have a ladder at a steep angle. But that left my walk board unlevel. Working around old houses with bushes and trees sometimes required using a ladder at a steep angle. I would just plant the ladder into the ground and it couldn't move so the steep angle was safe. I could either put something between the walkboard and jack to level it, which was dangerous should it fall off, or work on an unlevel walk board, which was also treacherous. In an attempt to solve a problem OSHA created a bigger, recurring one for me. I live in the USA but fortunately I was able to locate a pair of the old jacks for sale from Canada.
Great ladder safety video. I've spent 40+ years on and off ladders. usually packing stuff up ladders and this was great. (Usually exceeding the load rating of the ladder.)
The only caveat I would say and this is in regards to homeowners; if you don't feel comfortable on a ladder, DON"T use one. I've had to go up 40' ladders a couple of times and "rescue" someone who froze because they found out too late that they didn't mix with ladders. it is not a comfortable feeling trying to talk someone down a ladder when they are in a panic.
I always worried about how to get on and off a ladder on the roof. I am glad to learn your sage advice. I think this is one of your best videos!
I'm getting in elder years and going from ladder to roof is getting more and more sketchy. You have shown great tips to build confidence.
Great and helpful video. I hate it when I have to climb oof or on a ladder at the roof but at least I think I understand how to do it safely now.
I tightly tie the ladder to the structure I am climbing, typically about 1/2-2/3 up to prevent it from slipping out.
I use ladder stabilizer.
I use both hands on the ladder and carry loads in a pail and hoist it up with a rope.
I carry my cellphone with me if happen to get stuck on the roof.
If I go on a roof while alone, I let someone know when I go up, and go down, and how long I expect to be on the roof.
I've never had any kind of anxiety transitioning from the ladder to the roof. I get mad anxiety no matter how I do it when transitioning from the roof to the ladder and have done it tens of thousands of times I am sure. I have been fortunate to have never fallen off a ladder though. I got anxiety just watching you do it, even though you were doing as safely as you know how
Same here, the step off the roof to the ladder is uncomfortable no matter how many times I do it.
That’s a healthy fear response that is,
You should get really scared when you don’t get a response anymore.
It’s your body telling you pay attention.
Same!
Fear is what keeps you alive up there.
Yep, my hands were sweating as he was at the top of the ladder
Damn good advice. Everyone who ever uses an extension ladder should study this video. Thanks for this video!
We have extensive ladder training, three points of contact at all times. One foot two hands, two feet one hand while climbing. And use a toolbelt or pull anything else up by a rope.
This is also what I learned. Always three points of contact. That also means you can not use both hands when working on something. If you need both hands, use a scaffold instead of a ladder. You can also work much faster on a scaffold.
Excellent advice, I was a commercial painter for ~15 years and the tips you give are rock solid. Thank you for the video.
I miss your blacksmithing clips. Thanks for making great videos and being such a good knowledgeable role model. Your videos are always great, and I learn new things every single time 😊
One thing that might be added.....
I have been on a roof, working alone and nobody else within earshot, with an extended ladder being my only way down, only to have a strong gust of wind blow the ladder over (and down). Could not shout for help. Even if I were to sort of slide over the edge to let myself down to hanging from fingers and then drop to land on my feet, the distance would be enough that something would probably get broken.
In the above situation, what ended up saving me was that I had used a rope to pull tools up to the roof, and one end was still tied to the top rung of the ladder and the other end I had tied to a 5 gallon bucket that I had pulled the tools up in, and it remained on the roof, even after the ladder fell. Looking over the side at the ladder on the ground, I saw that the upper half of the extension ladder had slipped out of its extension channel but the other side was still hooked in. I was able to pull the ladder's top end up by using the rope, careful to not allow the lower half of the ladder to disengage that one remaining channel hook. BTW, I was laying on my belly and only head and shoulders were over the roof edge. I only pulled the ladder up high enough to re-engage the other channel hook, and then gently lowered it back down to touching the ground. Putting my weight back onto that ladder was one of the riskiest feeling gambles I ever made in my life, but it worked and I got back down.
Since that episode I now do things differently:
1) I have a bungee cord attached at its ends to two strong spring clamps, such that I can weave the cord around the ladder rung just below the edge of the roof, and climb to that height, then move the clamps to the edges of the rain gutter (if there is one) on both sides of the ladder, or clamp under the edge shingles, or whatever they will fit, to essentially tie the ladder to the edge of the roof; this is solely to prevent it falling over in the wind, etc.
2) I got some wide (e.g. 2" wide) double-sided Velcro strap from the hardware store, and cut two short pieces perhaps 18" long each. Once I have extended the ladder, I wrap these Velcro straps around the rails near the channel hooks, preventing upper and lower rails from becoming disengaged from each other.
3) I always have a rope tied to the top rung and the other end fixed to something on the roof, so if it goes over in spite of item (1) above, I can still pull it back up, and with the two straps per item (2) above, it won't come apart if it does fall.
4) I don't go up on a ladder and/or roof (or any other place where I might possibly fall, get stuck, etc;) without having my mobile phone attached to my body so I can call for help.
working for the phone company many years ago, our extension ladder training and the ladders themselves were excellent. We “shouldered” the ladders to carry them, planting one ladder foot, easing it down on your shoulder, one hand on top rail above you, the other in front of you holding the bottom rail, lift and go. I feel it’s a little better, affording more control.
I went through thr same training as you. It really is a lot easier and gives more controll. We also had pre-built stepped wedges that we used to shim ladders.
@@phonedave ladder chocks, I should have taken one home. How about going to the span, supposedly raising via rope, yikes. Humped those ladders over hill & dale, through rowhouses, etc
One thing I have seen done at several job sites that I have been on is to tie the ladder off at the top if it can possibly be done with a bungee cord or some way with a strap to fasten it
After watching your original ladder safety video, I was forced to ask myself a valuable question: What are the things in my life that I pretend are safe, but are actually quite dangerous? The answer at the time was obvious: a casual and careless relationship with alcohol.
This August will be 4 years sober for me. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and wisdom, it sometimes lands in interesting ways.
Happy sober-versary, best wishes
While alcohol should score high on the "dangerus but pretend its safe" scale, driving should also be WAY up that list. Countless people die or are seriously hurt in traffic accidents every year, but we never think about that when getting behind the wheel...
@@ssu7653 We need to teach our kids that even before they drive, and remind ourselves of it too.
A taxi driver I know stopped to let a mom and kid cross in the crosswalk and the driver behind her crashed into her and forced her vehicle forward enough to kill the child. That kid died under her vehicle because the person behind her simply wasn't paying attention.
Stepping onto a roof from a ladder or off a roof back onto a ladder is like a "leap of Faith" to me. Thanks for these good tips; I will use them in the future...
Thanks for posting this update. I was one of the ones asking for this. There are very few videos on his to climb on and off the roof. This video will be helpful for many people for years to come.
Thank you for the video. For me, getting off the ladder to the roof is nowhere near as bad as getting back on. I hold on to the rungs, even one-handed. Only once have I "ridden 'er down" as the legs slipped on an icy surface. If I had been holding the rails, the fingers of both hands would have been smashed.
Also, I'll either "walk" the ladder to move it a short distance across the roof line or lower it to he ground and carry it horizontally. Lastly, after I set the ladder up, I'll pull it a little bit away from the roofline to be sure the legs are firmly stabilized on the ground. This helps prevent the ladder from shifting and sliding off sideways. Again, Thanks for the video!
I am a retired gas passer, and, in a galaxy long ago, I was a carpenter out in San Diego County for 7 years. In my medical career, I evolved a few rules to stay healthy and off my surgical table. One was that women just have to walk along and either their hip breaks and then they fall, or they fall and the hip is fractured. Men have to climb up to heights and then throw themselves off to break their bones. I am 73 now and am so unsteady that I don't do ladders. ( I can barely stand up sometimes )
Sobering fact: 50% of people are dead within one year of breaking their hips.
My elderly next door neighbor, Helen, climbed up one of those three-step folding "step-ladders" to change a light bulb in the basement. My wife found her 24-hours later. She'd fallen off and broke her hip. She died a year later.
It is crazy how much easier it is for women to break bones. When I was in the Army women were breaking ankles and legs left and right from things that for a guy would sprain or twist an ankle at worst.
Great explanation about getting on and off a roof! Arm on forehead while carrying a ladder is a new tip for me. Thanks!
Excellent brief, thank you.
People do treat a ladder as a very simple tool that any idiot can use, so thanks for reviewing all these strategies that improve the safety of this statistically dangerous equipment. For me, there is nothing worse than feeling nervous on a ladder and that nervousness melts away if you know your ladder is secure and you've done everything possible to make it as safe as possible and as you strongly stated; "Pay Attention". Also note that a good ladder stabilizer positioned at the roof level is a great addition to the ladder and tying-off to secure the ladder at the gutter level is a good practice where practical. On soft ground, like a lawn, I always carry a small trowel to dig a shallow divot to place the legs, which is easily pressed back in place to disappear. I often place a 2X4, about 24 inches long across the feet at the base and stake it with a couple of screw drivers, about 12" long, to prevent the bottom from ever kicking out. There are a number of great leg leveling devices on the market to level the feet, but unfortunately, they can typically cost as much as the ladder itself, so I see few people that own them. The leg leveling problem with ladders is so prevalent, that a quality leg leveling device should be mandatory for every ladder.
Always hold the rails of the ladder, in the UK this dates back to when the ladders were wooden and if you grabbed a rung, it could have muck, stones or even glass embedded in the rung from other boots that have already gone up the ladder. Last thing you want is to grab a rung only to find its sharp and for your natural instinct to be to let go and pull your hand away.
Things that made sense long ago don't always make sense now.
Trying holding the side of the ladder with 1 hand, and simulate your 1 foot supporting your weight slipping of the rung.
Do this on the first rung on grass if possible, see if you have the grip strength to hold your 180-200+# long enough to get one foot back on a rung.
Would like to see a video on anyone who can do it.
Ladder, roofs, gloves.
Fres Dibnah said this!
@@johnsrabehe ded
Sooner or later, you will miss a rung, or find your hand to be surprisingly cold or slippery.
I've climbed more than my share of hard mounted ladders and I effing hated those things, partly because they nearly forced me to use the rungs for hand grip.
No one cares about the uk, I stop reading after k see "uk"
Thank you for sharing your How to Climb A Ladder, Dismount, & More Tips and we love it!!!❤❤❤
Great video on ladder safety. The transition from ladder to roof and vice versa is where I see most people freak out. You did a good job of explaining this. Thanks for the video!
I’m 75 and this was an exceptionally helpful video.
I’m hoping my wife will feel better about my climbing ladders now but probably not.
Thank you so much.
You can also easily get them turned backwards in their orientation, where the rungs aren't in a flat position. The bottom portion (with the cleats) needs to be BEHIND the extension portion if you're looking at the ladder from the front.
I’m sixty nine and still using ladders occasionally. For what it’s worth I tie the ladder top and bottom whenever possible using (say) quarter inch rope and tension with a Waggoner hitch. This way the ladder cannot slew sideways, especially at the top. Also it cannot kick outward when getting off the roof. I also have a cradle I made which fastens onto wooden fascia boards, into which the latter fits and cannot move sideways. Thanks for your videos I respect you very much as a practical man and would be interested in your comments on my methods.Regards from England .
To what do you tie the top of the ladder to, so that it won't slide sideways? I'm not quite getting the picture. Thx.
good advice! I'm 76 now and still climb a bit but was interested to see if I could learn more ladder safety. I like your rooftop extension ladder advice but I might just hire a younger person and pass on your advice.
Thank you for making this video. I thought there was something wrong me last year when I climbed a ladder up on to my roof. It was nerve wracking and now after watching this video, I see there’s a couple things I need to do differently.
My dad just fell off an 8ft step ladder, electrician for over 40 years. Scary to see first hand, for 5 hours in the hospital you would tell him what happened and 30 seconds later he would ask the same thing. Luckily he came out of it but scary to say the least. Don’t blow past this
You made almost a throwaway comment (I think during last years house build) that the worst job injury you ever had was when you missed the last step on a ladder and jarred your neck. I think about that every time I use one. Thanks for helping keep me safe!
As a building inspector I can get on 20+ roofs a day during hail season (right now 😱). A ladder must always always always be fastened or secured to the eave or gutter, or it's an immediate failed inspection. I will accept a bungee cord in good condition, but a ratchet strap is best. Really good info about transitioning from the ladder to the roof, my least favorite part of the operation
How does one secure the ladder without getting up on the ladder at least once without it being secured? Seems odd to immediately fail inspection if you don't actually know if anyone has been up the ladder the first time yet in order to secure it...
@ixamraxi if a ladder is put against a building it should be secured straight away and not be left unattended until it has been, id imagine if he sees someone putting it there and going up to secure it, it wouldn't be a fail, but if a ladder is just resting there unsecured anyone could go up it before it has been secured
@@oceallaigh1218 He didn't specify that the ladder appears unattended. The problem I was pointing out is that it presumes the ladder has been there for a while, and that people have been up more than once (since the first time its used it should be to secure it). There have been several times where I've been on a site where someone set a ladder into place, went to something they either forgot or will need (such as a new securing strap due to fray or wear), and informed others to hold before using it. It presumes the ladder has been used improperly even if it hasn't.
yes, fastening the ladder seems to bring piece of mind
What if there's nothing to secure it to? I want to do that but there's nothing on my roof I can hook anything to
As a Fireman, we were subjected to ladder training quite often..It is a dangerous appliance to operate and it is even more dangerous when time is a factor coupled with an emergency situation..Having a second person to "foot" the ladder whenever possible is good..When carrying things up a ladder we would use a strap and keep both hands free to hold on to the ladder..I prefer using the rungs when climbing..Watching for overhead obstacles ( live wires) is important...Very good video..We can't be careful enough when handleing and climbing a ladder..I don't like climbing ladders anymore..Father time has saw to that (80)---thank you!
Make sure you have four rungs showing above the roof line. This will give you at least 36 inches to the top rung. Three runs is not high enough.
Thanks for the video you guys are great.
I am 18 and going into roofers union in a month. The way you described the center of gravity was awesome thank you
Many have problems when making the transition from roof to ladder and tend to put to much pressure to one side of the ladder making it slide a bit
Pretty much nailed it. Been climbing ladders and swingin' hammers for close to three decades and I do nearly exactly what you have shown here. Never once have I fallen from, or had an accident with a ladder.
You can approximate the proper ladder angle by standing at its base and extending your arms horizontally to the rungs at shoulder height
Just about to post that info......correct angle is important
That's true and he covers that in video 1
@@welshhomesteadMissed that one. Thanks.
@@welshhomestead I also missed it
I'm pretty sure I first discovered this channel because I was looking for ladder safety tips and found your last video on this. I now have a garage with a loft that must be accessed via an extension ladder, and I'm in the process of moving things up there for storage. I watched this video last night, and then today had to move a bunch of lumber off-cuts up to the loft. It was great to have a chance to try out these tips in practice while I did this repetitive task. I found that I could carry 1-2 pieces in one hand, slide my free hand along the rails as shown, and deposit the wood on the loft floor after only climbing four rungs. Then climb back down with hands on the rungs, and repeat. Once I had moved enough pieces up to the loft, then I would go all the way up, carefully step onto the platform, and then work away from the edge to move the lumber into the storage area. I also got to experiment with ladder height and positioning to make sure it was stable and that I couldn't kick it out while getting on or off it. Thanks for this great video - the comment that the ladder is the most dangerous tool on any job site is important to take to heart.
Don’t think you mentioned that it’s a really bad idea to lean a ladder against a rake edge (ie sloping edge). Also, if the edge you’re leaning against has a gutter, use stand-off brackets
Always set your own ladder.
Great video! I don't usually comment, but having seen the first ladder video and this one as well, I have a couple of additional important tips. For a little background, I spent over a decade working at a hazardous chemical plant where safety was a never ending topic, and also did some contracting work which included some very uncomfortably high ladder work. First, it's good to use a 1 to 4 ratio to set the base of your ladder. For example, if the top of your ladder is resting on the side of a house 20' up, the base (feet) of the ladder should be about 5' out (perpendicular) from the wall. In the case of this video it would be a 1 to 4 ratio from where the ladder was resting on the building not including the 3' overhang. This is supposed to be an optimal ladder angle. The second tip (important! especially if you're going high) once you set your ladder and make any adjustments as shown in this video and it looks right, stand on bottom rung with both feet and pull the ladder away from the structure a few inches and watch for side to side movement at the top. If it pulls away from the structure straight with no side to side movement and returns to where you had it, it should be safe. If not, stabilize your ladder again. Lastly, If you are high enough in the air to fall and possibly kill yourself, why would you buy a cheap ladder? Not a tool to save money on.
How many of you are currently stuck on the roof and watching this?🗿
Felt
Lol
real
Hey, that’s me!
Been there!
This might be the best explanation on UA-cam. I showed this to some new people as good practice and everybody was put at ease.
It's not always better to dig in, Mole tunnels can suddenly sing a ladderleg in. A flat piece of ply will prevent that sinking feeling.
Yeah, I don't buy the claim that one way is *always* better than the other. If you're on relatively soft ground, using wide flat shims on both legs will keep the feet from settling unevenly as you climb. Sure, a small chunk of 2x4 that the foot might slip off is a bad idea, or an unstable stack of small pieces, but if you have a nice wide plywood or 2X10 pieces (for example) there's nothing wrong with shimming
I admire a man who admits his mistakes. We all make them. Excellent video!
This video would have helped me 35 yrs ago. Last summer before I graduated college I got a summer job at a "old folks" home. I was on the painting detail and I had to go up 2-3 stories on the exterior of the building to paint window frames and roof protrusions. No training on how to dismount on/off a roof or a ladder jack ! And the old timers thought it was hilarious that us young guys were a little bit 'timid' in our ladder skills ! That job was the highest I have ever been on an extension ladder to this day ; and I eventually ended up working in building maintenance .
Thank you for posting this. I went on the roof of a mini barn to push the ducks off to get them in the pen. It was dark and I didn’t know how to get down. I’m alone on a farm looking after a friends animals. MAN, YOU SAVED ME! Thank you so much for this video. 😊
Thank you so much. You explained it so well. I was surprised how easy it was transitioning down onto the ladder once you showed me how. I had no idea until I watched this.
This last weekend I had to get up and repair a leaking roof. Thanks to your video I was confident transitioning from the ladder to the roof, and returning to the ladder to descend.
Took my time, watched my footing and ensured my centre of gravity was always dead centre over the ladder. Thanks, 🙏
Every detail mentioned in the whole video is crucial to prevent accidents, thank you for the advice.
This is 100% the best explanation of how to safely get on the roof with a ladder. I always get to the top and just can’t swing my foot to the side. Thank you so much for making this clear and showing all the steps necessary for safe operation!
When stepping from the top of the ladder onto a SLOPING roof, don’t falter as you move from the ladder to the roof, keep going.
I made the mistake of stopping half way to push myself off the ladder and my balance wanted to lean me back off the roof. Let myself drop onto the roof and recovered by crawling up the tiles.
So easy to get it wrong. Good informative video 👍