Job site practice limits

[Jim Baird]

Sometimes I find unsafe access ladders like this one, and I take a breath, figure out my jump path, and heave on up, in the name of doing a good job.

Recently I found two of these in one dwelling.

I'd like to hear comments.

[Marc]

To quote Eastwood: 'A man's gotta know his limits'.  Do you risk it or do you write up as inaccessible?  I try hard to enter attics because they're good places to find fodder for the report. The one in your photo wouldn't stop me.

Edited June 29, 2020 by Marc

[Bill Kibbel]

If there's any apprehension, I just put my own ladder in front of it.

[Jim Katen]

Same here. I just lay my ladder over the rickety one. 

My dad was lucky enough to only break his collarbone when one of those things let go under him when he was 80 years old. 

[Jim Baird]

Thanks for the replies.

This is the better of the two hazards in the 85 yr old house.

The other was in a room so small there was not a picture angle available.  I did not see a safe enough approach to fit a ladder on or beside either one.  The bad one had a big barrel bolt holding it in the ceiling.  To throw the bolt took a step ladder.  Bolt thrown, the assembly fell in my lap. When I came down I left the junker hanging like a half open mouth.

House offered by a young couple after only six months occupancy.  They likely love those "flip this house" tv shows.

Edited June 30, 2020 by Jim Baird

[Erby]

If you've got a LG type multi position ladder, just strip the outer part off, extend it out straight and it'll lay right over that risky attic drop down ladder.

 

[Jim Baird]

I don't know, Erby.  That one looks tricky as the one in my picture.

[Erby]

While this one was due to the seller not moving his trailer, I've often set up my little ladder like this rather than using the beat up drop down ladder..

[Jim Baird]

You did good, Erby.  Looks like quite a squeeze thru the opening.

[Erby]

It's really not that much of a squeeze, unless the person going through has a big ass!

😎😎😎