Walking the roof

[John Cahill]

Not sure if I should post this as a survey. Let's try a thread. I would like to collect home inspection ladder fall stories. For example:

I know 6 inspectors who have fallen in 5 years. All serious injury.

The point of my post is to find out if our Stadnards are enticing inspectors to go above and beyond. I know I have done many ladder pulls and steep pitches myself. Just trying to determine where the consumers rights and the inspectors life cross path.

[Michael R. Boyett]

John...there have been several threads here related to ladder falls over the last couple of years. One that comes to mind is David Valley awhile back. Take a look at this thread and follow post #3 for details of David's fall. You may have to log in a 2nd time as David's story is archived on the old board.

Try: http://www.nachi.org/forum/showthrea...ht=ladder+fall

I have seen Gerry Beaumont comment on this topic as well, perhaps he will chime in.

[John Cahill]

Great. Also just got two more private emails. One San Antonio inspector found in pool of cranial blood and an Austin inspector who broke leg.

[Bob Elliott]

When working on ladders every day you should be required to take a climbing course.
I had to take a few of them while working for communication companies.
There is a right way and a wrong way.
Why people do not use fiberglass claw ladders is beyond me.
Talk about Little Giant all you want.
I will take a non electric conducting , claw base to eliminate slippage everyday.
My hooks help even more.

[Michael R. Boyett]

Originally Posted by jcahill

...and an Austin inspector who broke leg.

Yes, you're right, I had forgotten about that. It was just a fews weeks ago, right?

And, of course, this classic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjoCeL-f8Mk

[John Cahill]

Originally Posted by mboyett

Yes, you're right, I had forgotten about that. It was just a fews weeks ago, right?

It was recent; not sure when. A guy we both know (RS) fell off a ladder in his yard and broke both arms last year.

This list is building fast.

I have been climbing roofs for 25 years. I have taken some wild chances. I know its important but I also know it is a very personal decision and I do not endorse any rule saying the inspector must walk the roof. NACHI SoP are properly written on that.

[Barry Adair]

John,

Rumor has it Gil C. also an SEorPE TREC inspector had a bad spill and broke his leg, this has been a few years back.

Both of mine took place before I started inspecting but a shattered patella-knee cap and cracked clavicle-collar bone have both cost me more then just the loss of earned income over the years.

Everyone be safe out there.

[John Cahill]

Originally Posted by badair

John,

Rumor has it Gil C. also an SEorPE TREC inspector had a bad spill and broke his leg, this has been a few years back.

I remember that. It was "bad".

[Richard W. Washington]

Tough issue-just about every time I walk one something is found that would not have been found with bino's. Then again, just like walking the joists in the attic, very careful. But if there's any question of safety, forget it. Not worth an injury.

[mthomas2]

A few years back an inspector in Illinois was killed in a single story fall, don't know if it was from the ladder or roof. Likely, his thought as he rolled up was "Ha, a ranch. Piece of cake...".

[kweiss]

The hard part is we all want to do a good job. Most of the time when I have overstepped, I decide I have been stupid and shouldn't have climbed on the roof AFTER I am on it and contemplating getting back onto the ladder on my way down. Getting down is always harder than getting up.

Years ago I had the unforgettable experience of climbing onto one I shouldn't have, and sliding back down. I caught the ladder and made it down safely. The memory of that experience is generally enough to make me cautious.

I tell people flat out that I do not get on all roofs and that I will not tell them for sure until I personally see the house. I lose the occasional inspection because of it. Have had one guy get really mad. After I showed up, he questioned whether I would get on it - two story 10/12 type pitch (but did have lots of valleys). I said no I would not walk his roof. He flipped. Yelled at me that the neighbor had an inspector that did. I calmly told him to call that guy and walked out.

I will always put MY safety and the good of my family ahead of walking the roof.

[Richard Mangold]

Bob, you mentioned a ladder course that you took. Maybe you could share some techniques to help keep us all safer. I watched Michael's you tube clip several times and then saw that the guy that fell went down two rungs at once. That might cause a fall on any type of ladder.

[David C. Macy]

A few years ago I fell off a roof due to the ladder slipping out from under me.
The reason was due to a slippery deck. I was extremely lucky as I didn't even get a scrape from falling. Just a bruised ego and a lessoned learned.

No ladders on decks.

I know Dave Valley had a bad fall a few years ago.

[Barry Adair]

[quote=rmangold]Bob, you mentioned a ladder course that you took. Maybe you could share some techniques to help keep us all safer.[quote]

OSHA Rules

[Marcel R. Cyr]

[quote=badair][quote=rmangold]Bob, you mentioned a ladder course that you took. Maybe you could share some techniques to help keep us all safer.

OSHA Rules

Thanks for the information Barry, I like the way it is broken down and a possible tool for me to use with the employees.

I have to abide by those rules on a daily basis.

Thanks again.

Marcel