Stack Ladders

[831]

Could someone point me in a direction for finding tie-off info as it relates to climbing ladders up the sides of large stacks? I want to do it safely and do it right - no exceptions.

For what it's worth, one stack has a cage and the the other does not.

 

[cowboyjwc]

The only difference I see with a cage is that you fall straight down, smacking your chin on the ladder all the way to the bottom.

How far did he fall? All the way to the ground.:grin:

I'm sure that OSHA will have something for you, but I have never searched their web site.

 

[ItsHot]

Wear a full safety harness with shock cord. Stay connected at all times!!

 

[RayS]

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_id=9719&p_table=STANDARDS

more than you ever wanted to know about fixed ladders...

real world helpful hint:

-have a way to bring materials up- a small davit or at least a well-wheel at the top (climbing thru the cage with a tool belt on can be a hassle...)

 

[831]

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_id=9719&p_table=STANDARDS

more than you ever wanted to know about fixed ladders...

real world helpful hint:

-have a way to bring materials up- a small davit or at least a well-wheel at the top (climbing thru the cage with a tool belt on can be a hassle...)

I searched yesterday before my post and found that, but there's nothing in there about tying off, etc. Nevertheless, thank you.

Edit: When I'm doing investigation work, I always use a backpack. It keeps my hands free for safety purposes and I can carry lots of stuf, BUT (big but) even though my pack isn't the size for climbing K2, it hangs up in the cage (on the way down) like every other rung!

 

[831]

Wear a full safety harness with shock cord. Stay connected at all times!!

Ok, but would I "tie off" like every other or every third rung? I'm looking for published recommendations or links thereto. I've seen stack ladders w/ specific cables to tie into, but these particular ladders don't have any safety cable. I'd need to clip rungs at a rate of every 3rd or so. Not against doing that, but I know there are recommendations/suggestions out there and I ain't so tuf as to be afraid to admit I just don't know how to do this. :-?

Falling would ruin my '08 motocross season!

 

[cschmid]

Can I ask why you are crawling up the side of a smoke stack??either change or pm the monitoring sensor..I feel safer in the cage it is just a psychological thing though..When I used to do it I wore the fall harness and would climb the ladder as far as I felt safe then I would take my hook and move it every three or four rungs..No matter how you do it on the stack with out the cage you are going to feel unconfortable..But hooking it to the ladder and climbing a couple rungs unhook and re-hook is the only real way and it slows you down a lot..but if you fall you hurt or die what other option is there..clip it and move it..now do not do like the steel workers do and climb as fast as they can and race to the top one on each stack..

 

[831]

Can I ask why you are crawling up the side of a smoke stack??either change or pm the monitoring sensor...

Yeah... doing a CEMS (continuous emissions monitoring system) project.
Here are the (2) stacks that I'm doing right now:

The platform I'm working on is the top one (360 degrees around the stack); about 150' up. The only way up is thru the cage - that's fine w/ me.

I feel safer in the cage it is just a psychological thing though..When I used to do it I wore the fall harness and would climb the ladder as far as I felt safe then I would take my hook and move it every three or four rungs..No matter how you do it on the stack with out the cage you are going to feel unconfortable..But hooking it to the ladder and climbing a couple rungs unhook and re-hook is the only real way and it slows you down a lot..but if you fall you hurt or die what other option is there..clip it and move it...

Thanks for that take - kinda what I was thinking.

 

[wwhitney]

But hooking it to the ladder and climbing a couple rungs unhook and re-hook is the only real way.

Totally ignorant comment--I thought that the harness would have two hooks, and you hook the second one in before unhooking the first one. Is that not how it works?

Thanks, Wayne

 

[1793]

Yeah... doing a CEMS (continuous emissions monitoring system) project.
Here are the (2) stacks that I'm doing right now:

The platform I'm working on is the top one (360 degrees around the stack); about 150' up. The only way up is thru the cage - that's fine w/ me.


Thanks for that take - kinda what I was thinking.

I have, in a previous life, climbed and inspected the inside of Water Towers. I was the safety Diver for an Underwater Coatings Inspector. There are a few different types of anti-fall devices that are available. From what I can see of the photo there may be a Notched Rail running up the center of the ladder. You would wear a full body harness and use the Notched Rail device with your lanyard.

I hope this makes sense?

I'll try to find some pic's of the different attachment devices.

 

[480sparky]

...I'll try to find some pic's of the different attachment devices.

Is this or this what you mean?

 

[eric9822]

Systems like this are available

http://www.farwestcorrosion.com/ccpcoatings/north01.htm

 

[1793]

I have found a few. There is also one that is a roller type like the Notched Rail.

 

[cschmid]

Totally ignorant comment--I thought that the harness would have two hooks, and you hook the second one in before unhooking the first one. Is that not how it works?

Thanks, Wayne

That is your take..I have crawled up several of those in my life and I still don't like them..I have never had one with a harness rail attachment on them..I have also never had two harness hooks on a harness..as the harnesses are not design to have two safety hooks on them..I am always game for a safer method but you use what you have when the EPA calls you up at 2 am and says you have an hour to fix it or shut down..It is that simple..So if you think it is ignorant then so be it..because I really doubt you have a say in it anyway..

edited to say safety hooks are part of the laynard..excuse me for not using proper terms..:smile:

 

[ItsHot]

harness

harness

Every harness I have seen has only one "hook up". But I guess you could add a second one. Hey 831, if you fall from up there, you are going to mess up more than your MX season!

 

[1793]

Totally ignorant comment--I thought that the harness would have two hooks, and you hook the second one in before unhooking the first one. Is that not how it works?

Thanks, Wayne

If there is no anti-fall device installed on these ladders I would not climb unless I had a full body harness with a lanyard that had two hooks so as you climb you can always be connected. Hook, climb a few rungs and hook the second, remove the first and keep climbing.


Man I miss my climbing days.

 

[831]

...full body harness with a lanyard that had two hooks so as you climb you can always be connected. Hook, climb a few rungs and hook the second, remove the first and keep climbing.

That's the recommendation that has come thru another source too and the one I'm going with.

Thanks all.

 

[cschmid]

If I tell you I can agree but I can not..If you work for a corporation and you refused to climb that ladder with the safety gear they have provided and it meets the standards but not what you want..and the company shuts down and looses thousands of dollars until your co-worker gets there and he climbs it..you will need a new job..the ladders with cages around them you can lean back into the cage and rest if you like the cages are that tight..I feel the cages have there draw backs as well because you have to pull everything up in a bucket with a rope..You figure out how you are taking the rope with you up that ladder and how you are going to use it..I have never seen an exhaust stack with the items you guys have describe and the OP provided pictures of the same as I have seen and been on..one exception here it gets cold and snowy the devices you guys have pictured would do no good..they would be frozen solid in the winter even on a stack..I think I would of liked a harness with twin lanyards on it Though..I view some of this as informative and other portions as a way to get out of the Job..Has anyone just said I am afraid of heights and my fear is so great it would inhibit my ability to do a good job..That does not make you a bad electrician but a smart one knowing his limitations..the original poster(OP) was just looking for the safest way possible with what he had to work with..I believe a duel lanyard idea is the best..

 

[wwhitney]

So if you think it is ignorant then so be it

When I said "totally ignorant comment", I meant my comment was totally ignorant, as I have never done anything like that at all. Sorry if I offended you.

Yours, Wayne

 

[480sparky]

If there is no anti-fall device installed on these ladders I would not climb unless I had a full body harness with a lanyard that had two hooks so as you climb you can always be connected. Hook, climb a few rungs and hook the second, remove the first and keep climbing.


Man I miss my climbing days.

Would the rungs of the ladder be approved for fall protection?