The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum
"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"

Roof Cleaning Corpus Christi TX · Guest

RE: Ladder Safety

Matthew · Guest

For more on ladder saftey read this

OSHA Ladder safety

Jun 26, 2010

Roof Cleaning Katy Texas (281) 392-2304 wrote:

You have to always remember that SH is an elecrolitic. That means it conducts electricity. Spray something electrical and the electricity will come right to you. Always be aware of any open electrical sockets. If you get SH in it, it can start a house fire as the house wires will start arching and melt the insulation. Yes I have seen open outlets on the roofs before and I learned all of the above the hard way.

I have been cleaning roofs for 15 years and the ladder of my choice is a 225 lb 28 ft aluminum. Extra weight it just that, extra weight & extra work. 6 lbs extra ladder weight adds up at the end of the day and a 225 lb ladder will build your muscles up also without tearing up your back in the long run. But then I only weigh 155 lb, most electricity in my area is under ground, and I am no spring chicken looking to build my muscles as I already have them.

Same here. I also use the 225 lb. 28 foot aluminum the most. It's plenty sturdy and easy to handle.

I also own a 250 lb. 28 footer and it's considerably heavier. I like to use it when I need to rack it all the way out, because it's a little more stable and stiffer than my 225 lb 28ft. ladder. Stabilizers on both.

I like using the quick connect stabilizer for my 20 foot ladder.

My roof cleaning ladders are (2) 28 footers, 225 & 250 lbs, (1) 20 footer, (1) 8 foot step ladder.

BCRoofClean · Guest

Quick ladder fact that you can use day to day:

The ladder ratio is 4 to 1. What does that mean?

For every 4 feet you rise, you must pull the ladder off of the house 1 foot. If you do this you will be safe!

Roof Cleaning Katy Texas (281) 392-2304 · Jul 2, 2010

BCRoofClean wrote:
Quick ladder fact that you can use day to day:

The ladder ratio is 4 to 1. What does that mean?

For every 4 feet you rise, you must pull the ladder off of the house 1 foot. If you do this you will be safe!
Good point! I quite often see ladder users with ladders straight up almost or even at a 35 deg. lol They are asking o get hurt.

Morgan Booz · Guest

We take our time setting up for a job. There isn't a reason to go fast, unless one wishes to have an accident. The best work is done with the correct prep work and that includes safety. Proper ladder placement, hose connection checks and a plan of action help us to complete a job without any accidents. It helps, of course, that we have worker's compensation and general liability insurance, but why test fate? We also use respirators, heavy gloves and goggles when necessary. We like our employees and we'd like to have them around for the long haul! The point of having a roof cleaned/treated is to prolong the roof's longevity, not to incur immediate costs because of our mistake. This is why we have repeat and contented clients!

Thanks for the ladder FAQs!

AC Lockyer · none

Roof Cleaning Katy Texas (281) 392-2304 wrote:

You have to always remember that SH is an elecrolitic. That means it conducts electricity. Spray something electrical and the electricity will come right to you. Always be aware of any open electrical sockets. If you get SH in it, it can start a house fire as the house wires will start arching and melt the insulation. Yes I have seen open outlets on the roofs before and I learned all of the above the hard way.

I have been cleaning roofs for 15 years and the ladder of my choice is a 225 lb 28 ft aluminum. Extra weight it just that, extra weight & extra work. 6 lbs extra ladder weight adds up at the end of the day and a 225 lb ladder will build your muscles up also without tearing up your back in the long run. But then I only weigh 155 lb, most electricity in my area is under ground, and I am no spring chicken looking to build my muscles as I already have them.

Boy do I have a funny story about roofs, electricity and an alum ladder. Buzzzzzzzzzzz......

I will tell it at the round table in Tampa.

AC

Roof Cleaning Katy Texas (281) 392-2304 · Jul 2, 2010

This ought to be a good story. Iam looking forward to it AC.

ATTICUS Roof Cleaning Ohio · Guest

Well I certainly glad I happened upon this as I have an older wooden ladder that I am going to use just to get up to speed. It's been said that aluminum ladders are like climbing a tree to stick your finger in a socket, but as
RCP said even a wet fiberglass is much the same. So being that I am of slender build I guess I an just as well off with aluminum?

That little snippet about the SH as a conductor was an eye opener-Thanks

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum "Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum
"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"