Every time I setup an extension ladder, I ALWAYS step on the bottom rung with both feet and pull the top of the ladder away, from the structure I have the ladder against, just a few inches to allow the ladder to settle. If the ladder is set on good ground, it doesn't move to the left or right. If the ladder is not on solid ground, it will want to go to the left or right but, since I only pull the ladder away only a few inches, I can push the ladder against the structure without a mishap. Simple test.
I had a friend who was installing some speakers using a 16-foot ladder. He reached too far to the side and…you guessed it. He broke a few ribs, punctured his lung, and wound up in the hospital for several days. Too many of my friends have been injured or killed by sloppy ladder practices. Be careful!
Ladder riding is never good. Lots of good advice here about tie offs and angles. My work required ladders of every sort and I was fortunate to have always followed the rules and when I did not, lived to tell the story. Unfortunately many of my coworkers found out the hard. A harness is always a great addition for us senior blond folks.
With very few exceptions, NOBODY over age 75 should be on a ladder more than four rungs above the ground. In my opinion, ONLY when the ladder is on a flat cement surface AND erected by someone else AND tied to structure at the top and the bottom should anyone over 75 be on a ladder. Soft ground, poor support, unstable positioning are all recipes for serious injury, disability or death for us old folks. I am an 81-year old retired physician who cared for too many fit and able oldsters who suffered one of the fates mentioned above falling off a ladder.
So sorry this happened to you! Hopefully, not to painful. I had to put an extension ladder up into a tree that was damaged from Hurricane Helene just the other day. As my wife watched me closely, I positioned an repositioned several times until it was very secure. I had a father in law that many years ago slid down his extension ladder with his heel being split wide open. He was fortunate enough not to have bled to death. Be careful young man!
Every time I setup an extension ladder, I ALWAYS step on the bottom rung with both feet and pull the top of the ladder away, from the structure I have the ladder against, just a few inches to allow the ladder to settle. If the ladder is set on good ground, it doesn't move to the left or right. If the ladder is not on solid ground, it will want to go to the left or right but, since I only pull the ladder away only a few inches, I can push the ladder against the structure without a mishap. Simple test.
I had a friend who was installing some speakers using a 16-foot ladder. He reached too far to the side and…you guessed it. He broke a few ribs, punctured his lung, and wound up in the hospital for several days. Too many of my friends have been injured or killed by sloppy ladder practices. Be careful!
Ladder riding is never good. Lots of good advice here about tie offs and angles. My work required ladders of every sort and I was fortunate to have always followed the rules and when I did not, lived to tell the story. Unfortunately many of my coworkers found out the hard. A harness is always a great addition for us senior blond folks.
I have fallen off a ladder a few times now my doctor told me the max I can be off the ground is the height of a desk
With very few exceptions, NOBODY over age 75 should be on a ladder more than four rungs above the ground. In my opinion, ONLY when the ladder is on a flat cement surface AND erected by someone else AND tied to structure at the top and the bottom should anyone over 75 be on a ladder. Soft ground, poor support, unstable positioning are all recipes for serious injury, disability or death for us old folks. I am an 81-year old retired physician who cared for too many fit and able oldsters who suffered one of the fates mentioned above falling off a ladder.
Ouch! Get the OSHA Ladder Safety App for your phone. Has an angle finder to make sure the ladder is at the proper angle. Great app!
So sorry this happened to you! Hopefully, not to painful. I had to put an extension ladder up into a tree that was damaged from Hurricane Helene just the other day. As my wife watched me closely, I positioned an repositioned several times until it was very secure. I had a father in law that many years ago slid down his extension ladder with his heel being split wide open. He was fortunate enough not to have bled to death. Be careful young man!
GET BETTER SOON MIKE -- we ALL need you. Sending Healing Hugs