Stack Ladders

[1793]

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

If there is nothing else what would you do? I have climbed some ladders using this method. I would not go more than about three rungs so if I fell the fall distance would not be too great.

 

[480sparky]

If there is nothing else what would you do? I have climbed some ladders using this method. I would not go more than about three rungs so if I fell the fall distance would not be too great.

I understand that. But just "because it's there" doesn't make it approved for the use. If you get into a bucket on a lift, there's a loop designed for latching on to. You don't just use the handrail instead.

I realize this is just a technicality (sp?), and odds are in your favor of you not falling at all. But if you go to the trouble of strapping on a harness and a pair on lanyards, wouldn't you at least make sure what you're hooking to is designed to save your skin? I don't know the math to calculate what the load would be on the rung, as that would bepend on how far you fell and your weight. But it would be a pretty awful feeling after a rung let go and you start down at 32 feet per second per second.....

 

[1793]

I understand that. But just "because it's there" doesn't make it approved for the use. .....

If after visual inspection of the rungs I would make the call to climb or not. If the ladder is attached and I'm climbing the ladder, I would use the rungs. Everything I've encountered has been welded and I can see that the rungs pass through the sides of the ladder.

After all if the Fall Protection device is mounted to the same rungs I'm not sure I would question the safety.

If the rungs are individually attached to the structure I would rethink my call to climb or not.

This is just me and I make the decision to climb or not.

 

[cschmid]

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

Yes I did take your comment wrong and I try and watch the way I read the comments as well..apology accepted and accept my appology as well..no need to have issues on an informative forum..especially misunderstanding ones..

 

[dlhoule]

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..

Yes and sometimes those rungs can be double their normal thickness. The ice also makes them very slippery. Can't they make these ladders with heated rungs like you can get for car seats? When it is 10 below with a 20 MPH wind, seems to be when they have the most trouble. I'm inclined to think it happens, but I can't recall going up one of these ladders but one time in nice weather. Actually it was twice; once was to help bring down an electrician who had climbed about 2/3 of the way up and just froze. It is amazing how hard it was to get his fingers loose from the rung of the ladder. He had been up that same ladder on numerous occassions with out any problems. Even he couldn't understand why he froze, but he would never go up again.

I also like the dual lanyard idea the best.:grin:

 

[cschmid]

Yes and sometimes those rungs can be double their normal thickness. The ice also makes them very slippery. Can't they make these ladders with heated rungs like you can get for car seats? When it is 10 below with a 20 MPH wind, seems to be when they have the most trouble. I'm inclined to think it happens, but I can't recall going up one of these ladders but one time in nice weather. Actually it was twice; once was to help bring down an electrician who had climbed about 2/3 of the way up and just froze. It is amazing how hard it was to get his fingers loose from the rung of the ladder. He had been up that same ladder on numerous occassions with out any problems. Even he couldn't understand why he froze, but he would never go up again.

I also like the dual lanyard idea the best.:grin:

Man there is some truth to that statement..

 

[831]

Update...

Update...

Was back on-site yesterday doing unrelated work, but I did find and questioned a few people - all independant of each other:

* NONE were aware of any "policy" madating fall protection gear inside the stack ladder.
* NONE seemed to know the definitive on the issue.
* NONE knew where to look or refer to for information relating to fall protection, not ladder construction.
* ALL stated that because there was no policy, there was no need unless in the name of individual preference.

The requirements for building a ladder and those for climbing it are (2) different things.

I'm talking about a HUGE international company here folks. Pretty sad that safety, although my first concern in all I do is nothing more than a word in the eyes of many.

 

[jatrottpe]

About a year ago our site policy changed to require 100% tie-off. Which requires dual lanyards. Harnesses are available with the second lanyard. We changed out all our harnesses when the policy went into effect. Safety isn't cheap, but it is actually a small price to pay to ensure your work force goes home every night in the same condition that they came to work that day.

 

[Denis]

just remember you'll fall twice as far as your protection














I climb for fun. rocks, walls, door jambs, etc.