Why I love using ladders for tree work

[Mark Bolam]

I've seen trebles footed from a telehandler bucket, but it was perfectly safe as they were farmers.

[tony_t3d]

[Stubby]

1 hour ago, tony_t3d said:

That's the one I was looking for !

[AHPP]

Largely in response to oldwoodcutter, I'm firmly pro ladder but refuse to have them footed for me and I almost always refuse to foot them for someone who asks me to (with the exception of when I want to check my phone or roll a spliff). I tell would-be-footers and footing-requesters that if they're not set up safely, they shouldn't be climbed and there's fuck all a puny human can do on the bottom of a 30 foot lever.

[skyhuck]

9 hours ago, AHPP said:

Largely in response to oldwoodcutter, I'm firmly pro ladder but refuse to have them footed for me and I almost always refuse to foot them for someone who asks me to (with the exception of when I want to check my phone or roll a spliff). I tell would-be-footers and footing-requesters that if they're not set up safely, they shouldn't be climbed and there's fuck all a puny human can do on the bottom of a 30 foot lever.

Hehe, I was thinking the same.

 

I've always thought "footing" is only needed when on hard ground, flags etc, where there is a risk of the ladder sliding, here someone preventing this is useful, IMO.

[arbogrunt]

always a place for ladders, just as there is for throwlines and MEWPs. Its knowing when to employ which to get the job done efficiently and safely  thats the key.I've done two aerial rescues in my time...both using ladders, as they were low enough to employ them. Now we never put the ladders away until the job is complete.

 

[Fredward]

always a place for ladders, just as there is for throwlines and MEWPs. Its knowing when to employ which to get the job done efficiently and safely  thats the key.I've done two aerial rescues in my time...both using ladders, as they were low enough to employ them. Now we never put the ladders away until the job is complete.
 

That's actually a really valid point which I'd never considered. Thanks.

[devon TWiG]

20 hours ago, AHPP said:

Largely in response to oldwoodcutter, I'm firmly pro ladder but refuse to have them footed for me and I almost always refuse to foot them for someone who asks me to (with the exception of when I want to check my phone or roll a spliff). I tell would-be-footers and footing-requesters that if they're not set up safely, they shouldn't be climbed and there's fuck all a puny human can do on the bottom of a 30 foot lever.

This is very true .....in fact I believe recent H&S research identified that high numbers of injuries involving ladders were caused to the person "footing " the ladder ....person up ladder fell on them or dropped things on them 

[Steve Bullman]

Do they AA have a stance on ladders in tree work @AA Teccie (Paul)

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

1 minute ago, Steve Bullman said:

Do they AA have a stance on ladders in tree work @AA Teccie (Paul)

Yeah, a "careful" one (stance )

 

Its basically down to W@H Regs, and the ICoP, where ladders may be determined a suitable work platform dependent upon the nature of the work and it's duration...but more generally viewed as a means of access TBH (more partic if it's me!)

 

Just to qualify, in terms of the AA having a...'view', our view would be an interpretation of relevant regs and guidance, i.e. a qualified view rather than opinion.

 

Cheers,

Paul