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TomToll
USA
87 Posts |
 Posted - 11/09/2002 : 18:49:40
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While working a claim with Janice, I noticed a young female adjuster with Allstate climbing a ladder just like ours, a Wing Little Giant. She appeared to be competent in ladder safety, until I saw her compacting the unit. During the folding process, she allowed the elevated end to fall down on the hinge pins. I suggested to her that she not do that as that fold up process would put a strain on the pins that hold the hinge point together and if one or both of those pins broke, she would fall. She basically told me she was comfortable with what she was doing. (In other words, mind your own business)
There are two pins on springs that keep the ladder fixed when in the extended position. If sudden strain is continually applied to those pins, the will break while folding the ladder, (if your lucky) or they will fracture, (if your unlucky) and you will not know that they are about to break. I am tall and strong, so I have no problem holding that end of the ladder to allow it to come to rest on the pins. If you cannot do that, lay the ladder down on the ground, as the directions suggest, and fold the ladder that way.
I think the Little Giant is a unique and a very safe form of egress and digress. But if used improperly, it can injure or kill you if you are high enough when you fall, and if the pins break, you will fall. Just my 3 cents.
I am contacting Little Giant and asking if a straight end can be purchased as an option, as I do not like to see people going over the top of the ladder because the wing flare is in the way. Janice has to do that and I have seen short guys doing the same thing. That is the only thing I do not like about the ladder for people who are short. I am tall, so I don't have that problem. Stay tuned. |
Tom Toll |
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gtlovelace
1 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2003 : 16:39:38
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Tom, and alternative would be to remove one section from one side of the ladder. If you have a Model 17, removing one section would leave you just the narrow side at the roof edge and your ladder would measure 12 feet. This would also reduce the weight carried to 21 lbs. on the Type II or 23 lbs. on the Type I ladder.
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George Lovelace
Adjusters Supply Co.
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TomToll
USA
87 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2003 : 22:45:55
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| Tried that George. It was scratching the rail on the shingle granulation. Deep scratches in the aluminum is a recipe for fractural failure. I am too big and would not bounce well. |
Tom Toll |
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Ladder Safety
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