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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
 Posted - 12/09/2003 : 08:56:43
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Newt, you old goat, you may be tough as nails - and may even be an old square head nail - but they also bend and crumple when pounded on concrete.
I humbly suggest you have your priorities wrong, if I read your 2nd paragraph correctly.
The only people that will miss you "the day after" is your family and friends.
If there is any seriousness to the 1st sentence of your 2nd paragraph, I suggest you have reversed the emphasis on what criteria may keep you alive.
There is no Hall of Fame for doing what you are doing, without all the proper equipment and safety measures being implemented and used. |
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Newt
USA
657 Posts |
Posted - 12/09/2003 : 10:42:02
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I take my climbing serious, I cannot stand pain. I prefer to furnish my own safety equipment, and care for it like my life depended on it. This is a holdover from my days working on radio towers and steel structures. I fell once, came down from 40 ft with a tower, which killed two friends.
No more comming down from a 280 ft tower on the guywire with noting but a body belt and safety strap, it gave a whole new meaning to safety. If I had not been twenty years old maybe I wouldn't have taken those chances.
This is always a topic which gets a lot of attention and it should. Any one climbing should keep one thing in mind, it's the getting up there and getting down that gets most folks hurt. Make sure you have a safe way to do both. I never heard it mentioned, but wet rungs on a ladder can be a hazard.
All you folks know about ladder safety, yet we still have accidents. Some still take cances on the footing and limitations of your ladder. Most ladders come from the factory with hazards built in.
Most are built with the same spread on the bottom as the top. I noticed some adjusters have modified their ladders and added extra width to the base, these guys are smart and know what can keep you from geting hurt.
CC any one my age and climbs over five foot is a fool anyhow, I never was the sharpest knife in the drawer. At 76 you would think a guy would learn. All you "old guys" out there, no offence.
(I hate old people) Pile ON!!! |
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sflorig
USA
24 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2003 : 16:39:58
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Apparently my willingness to work the files that have been assigned to me without complaining is the reason the fee schedules are so low. Hmmm....I suppose it doesn't have anything to do with the files that are given to me for re-inspection after the first adjuster was unable to get the proper documentation (photos) of the damage or lack of damage because he was "too large" (actual comment in the claims log) to get off the top of the ladder or anywhere past the ridge cap. Oh, and by the way he did submit his full service bill to the company for his efforts.
A lot of these "nasty" roofs do not even require rope and harness as they are accessable by walking up the valleys or hips from which a representative sampling of the entire roof area can be evaluated.
I am 42 years old and in good health. I consider this a blessing everytime I boost myself up and climb onto a second story from the ridge of a garage. I can't imagine doing this job 50 or more pounds overweight. And while were on the health topic, God Bless Newt for getting on roofs at his age. That ought to shame some of you youngin's on to these roofs[:)]
I know my own personal limitations and I work safely everyday. I am well compensated for my efforts and others should not assume otherwise let alone blame "people like me" for the shortcomings of their paychecks. If I wasn't happy with my working conditions I would simply go home and/or find someone else to work for.
By the way I always include a photo which includes a pitch gauge and a shingle gauge on every roof. It's just part of providing a good file that documents the loss.
These "Starter Castles" are showing up everywhere! |
Edited by - sflorig on 12/12/2003 19:20:37 |
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C Bond
32 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2003 : 18:44:53
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sflorrig,
Sounds like you turn in very nice work. However I'm sure that even you have min. amount of compensation that you will accept as you go higher in the air. Through out my work history, the higher I went the more I was paid. Usually about 25% more. What do you feel is a fair fee to go that extra story or two? |
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Newt
USA
657 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2003 : 18:48:25
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Steve, thanks for the kind words. I would like to follow you around for a day and see how you do your roofs. I get on every roof, and have to use a rope sometimes. I am not as quick as I use to be and have less strength in my legs. I keep in good shape for my age but, spring chicken I ain't. After I hit about 68 I can no longer leap over tall buildings.
Have a good day and better tomorrow. |
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Admin
547 Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2003 : 20:49:52
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| I agree with Steve on this. Each individual needs to determine their own limits and work within them. I have often heard adjusters state that it is not worth it to climb a steep roof (thinking about the time they would lose should they fall) and will either turn the file back or turn it in and hope that it passes. I would rather see them turn it back in instead of trying to get it though the system without a complete roof inspection. This does more harm then good. But when cuts are being made they should also understand why someone who is able to handle the tough roofs (safely) gets more claims then they do. |
Roy Cupps -
CatAdjuster.org :: Contact\Feedback :: Adjuster Roster :: Current Forum |
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Newt
USA
657 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2003 : 10:16:47
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I think I may have goofed up, got into the wrong niche. I can do it, but hey, it ain't easy. All I get are roof claims, and water damage. Both are very demanding on either your physical being or in case of water damage, time consumming.
According to the water dept. a busted pipe sprayed 55,000 gallons of water in a house in three weeks. Gives a whole new meaning to mold, mildew and odor. |
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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2003 : 10:30:25
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| Newt, these comments are not meant to be critical, demeaning or contraversial. I recognize the last sentence of your post is off topic to the thread title, as is these comments. However, if you have been assigned a claim as you describe in your last sentence; you should not be handling it. It will test you well beyond any physical challenge that you have noted concern for. |
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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2003 : 17:16:25
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Everytime I come to this thread, I have another look at the house picture that Steve attached, bite my tongue and move on; but this time.
There is not a fee schedule around - and I've seen quite a few - that would pay me enough to walk around on the roof of that house without proper safety gear and equipment, regardless if it resulted in roof replacement or a no claim fee. And, I'd have no interest in doing it with the proper gear and equipment, because it still wouldn't pay well enough.
As Roy says, we each have to determine our own limits and work within them. But, I think and sense that that determination is based on different factors for each person, and that the determination goes beyond physical considerations.
It would be easy for me to say that I am too old, and / or too big, and / or my knees are too worn out. But, I would take that body into a burnt out building, and poke around wondering if or when I was going to fall through the floor or another piece of ceiling would fall above me.
To me, it is the money and the type of claim, pure and simple. To do what is necessary to complete the claim properly with regard to the roof in Steve's picture, is too great (i.e. risk and time), for too little a reward (i.e. money and job satisfaction). |
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Wes
USA
62 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2003 : 18:34:33
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| You would not see me on that roof either. Just plain to dangerous. I am 36 years old and have never had a broken bone. I sure don't want my first one to be my neck bone(s). Also I might add that the roof pictured would be extremely difficult to accuratley estimate by the average adjuster (my opinion of course). I would definately need the help of a very experienced roofer on this one. Too many factors that would have to be taken into consideration for this roof. |
Edited by - Wes on 12/13/2003 18:37:01 |
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jlombardo
USA
212 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2003 : 22:59:48
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| Thanks,to Clayton and Wes...I was beginning to feel like the lone ranger......The pictured roof(s) are a 12/12 pitch and not of particular interest to be climbed by this adjuster....Maybe with proper safety gear and a safety person, but definitely not alone.....And STEVE...about the pitch gauge comment.....My point was that it is a shame that we-Adjusters-are not trusted to tell the Companies that a roof was 8 pitch or 12 pitch etc, without having to give them a damn photo with a pitch gauge....I don't know about you, but I consider that a slap in the face and I don't take lightly the questioning of my veracity.Remember, the pitch gauge with the photo has nothing to do with the claim--except for the additional steep/high charges for the roofing.....they want it to justify the extra twenty five bucks that the adjuster will charge. And yes, the greater the degree of difficultyand/or risk, the greater the reward(fee) should be..... |
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Newt
USA
657 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2003 : 12:12:29
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If you have questions about your safety, always listen to your inner-self. It does't get better after you get up there, its too late and you may find yourself frozen to a stand pipe or in a position you cannot move from. I freeze up under a house and know the feeling of a phobia.
I don't mean to complain about the jobs I get, its just the luck of the draw and I appreciate the chance to get some experience.
The money we get for a steep/high charge is not enough for the risk or the added expense of the extra man you need in some cases. I fault no one for declining a high risk, a prudent move for prudent people. You folks with experience deserve to have a choice of the type jobs you take on.
As for myself, I will pay my dues and hope I don't bore folks with my "Belly Aching". If I cannot do the job, I will quit. The money is not an attraction.( It ain't that great) I will take the risk to pay my dues for the experience. I consider this a job where you start at the top and work down, ladder that is.
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Newt
USA
657 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2003 : 20:39:54
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Found it and didn't fall. The roof was dry by the time I got there and found the seven month old hail hits, with hair line cracks going all directions. Had to use some very close-ups.
I felt more comfortable up there this time, it was dry and I had on some different shoes, ribbed foam soles. I sure need to try those cougar paws. Every one cannot be wrong. Next time an adjuster gets a claim on this roof, the insured has a copy of my very decent graph with his policy. Maybe it will save some one a fall trying to climb all over this monster getting the measurements. I will do this every time, if I have the time. It only takes a few seconds to run a copy off. |
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Safety and roofs
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