Community Forums

Kro1957 · 11-16-2013, 08:07 AM

This fall I was up at our CG, just doing some prep work for end of the season. Saturday afternoon I wanted to do some tree trimming near the right rear of the coach. There was a tree with some limbs just couple inches from the slide out there.
Now here is what I would caution everyone. We carry a 3 step folding ladder on board and I have used it before as what I would call helper steps for getting on the ladder on back.
You probably know what's coming right......

Well, I had a bow saw in the R hand and was using my L hand to help climb the ladder. Remember I have done this before without issue. But today as I was transfering from that (top step) of the small ladder (which by the way you are not supposed to use as a step, so the sticker says) and transfer my body to the main ladder, that darn small one flipped out from under me as I pushed off and ..... well down I went as my L hand was just not prepared for the full weight of holding my body at that point.

There I laid on my back, mind you I already have a bad hip and knee and the pain was at that point I realized. I am the only one here in this entire CG out in the middle of no where. DW had to work that weekend and most our last FT's had went south already.

Eventually I made my way to a anti-gravity chair outside to get my wind back and pain subside.

Several things I learned that day. #1 The ground is harder in the fall of the year

#2 Follow Warning / Caution's on products. You're not invincible as you think you are.
#3 Darn injuries sure hurt more at 57 then they do when you're 23.

#4. Not a smart idea to do climbing or hazardous tasks when there is not another sole around for miles.

I will never use that ladder again as a booster ladder, I might get like a 6' or one of those collapsible ones. (if I can trust them). As for getting on the rear ladder, I think they make an attachable flip down one that you can lower down and help you get started climbing.

BTW. After calling the DW later, she refused me to get on a ladder that day but my DETERMINATION was to "get er done" so I borrowed my neighbors 14' Alum (Dick and I help our-self to each others stuff as needed) and once I made darn sure everything was stable, I got tree trimmed.

And in the future, I will better plan when I am doing more hazardous tasks to do it when others are around ..... just in case....

Be Safe & Be Blessed !!!! Jim

Wayne M · 11-16-2013, 08:10 AM

My wife will not let me get on the roof to clean it, she does the roof cleaning.

Hey! Works for me.

So sorry to hear your story but lessons are accepted. I most certainly know how the pain feels. It's amazing how long it takes to catch your breath. If you did not break anything, you are very lucky.

slickest1 · 11-16-2013, 08:27 AM

Glad to hear you are ok. I had to laugh at your attitude of getting a different ladder and getting the job done. That is exactly what I would have done. I have had a couple ladder rides in my day too. Stay safe!

t55watson · 11-16-2013, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kro1957

This fall I was up at our CG, just doing some prep work for end of the season. Saturday afternoon I wanted to do some tree trimming near the right rear of the coach. There was a tree with some limbs just couple inches from the slide out there.
Now here is what I would caution everyone. We carry a 3 step folding ladder on board and I have used it before as what I would call helper steps for getting on the ladder on back.
You probably know what's coming right......

Well, I had a bow saw in the R hand and was using my L hand to help climb the ladder. Remember I have done this before without issue. But today as I was transfering from that (top step) of the small ladder (which by the way you are not supposed to use as a step, so the sticker says) and transfer my body to the main ladder, that darn small one flipped out from under me as I pushed off and ..... well down I went as my L hand was just not prepared for the full weight of holding my body at that point.

There I laid on my back, mind you I already have a bad hip and knee and the pain was at that point I realized. I am the only one here in this entire CG out in the middle of no where. DW had to work that weekend and most our last FT's had went south already.

Eventually I made my way to a anti-gravity chair outside to get my wind back and pain subside.

Several things I learned that day. #1 The ground is harder in the fall of the year

#2 Follow Warning / Caution's on products. You're not invincible as you think you are.
#3 Darn injuries sure hurt more at 57 then they do when you're 23.

#4. Not a smart idea to do climbing or hazardous tasks when there is not another sole around for miles.

I will never use that ladder again as a booster ladder, I might get like a 6' or one of those collapsible ones. (if I can trust them). As for getting on the rear ladder, I think they make an attachable flip down one that you can lower down and help you get started climbing.

BTW. After calling the DW later, she refused me to get on a ladder that day but my DETERMINATION was to "get er done" so I borrowed my neighbors 14' Alum (Dick and I help our-self to each others stuff as needed) and once I made darn sure everything was stable, I got tree trimmed.

And in the future, I will better plan when I am doing more hazardous tasks to do it when others are around ..... just in case....

Be Safe & Be Blessed !!!! Jim

Yes, please do make sure you do these tasks when others are around. They may get a video.

Glad you are OK.

palehorse89 · 11-16-2013, 08:33 AM

BE CAREFUL as we get older, my Dad 84 fell going into the house on Oct. 14 after being outside doing fall leaves and slipped on the steps going into their home (3 steps) and fell back wards and hit his head on the garage floor, 4 hours later he slipped in to a coma (his brain bleeding and on blood thinners) and 13 hours later he died! Please....... do everything one can do to adviod accidents! I am glad you are OK!

Dogpatch · 11-16-2013, 08:46 AM

Lucky you didn't cut off your own limb with the saw by falling!

Being me, I would have attempted to use the same ladder again

MSHappyCampers · 11-16-2013, 08:50 AM

Hi Jim! Glad you weren't seriously hurt! Be careful!

MaxTurner1 · 11-16-2013, 09:12 AM

Thank God you didn't break anything but your pride. After 50, bones don't heal as fast. We all do stupid stuff. (Wasn't stupid that long ago, but time takes it's toll.
I jumped on top of our dryer to fix the exhaust hose. Once on the ground behind it, the fix was quick. Problem, no one was home and I was stuck back there. After maybe an hour and a half of trying various maneuvers, I pushed the damn thing out and found freedom. Not so shmart.

Bobb.25 · 11-16-2013, 10:11 AM

When climbing use both hands for climbing, attach any tools to a rope, and hoist them up after you are secure.

osok · 11-16-2013, 10:25 AM

Glad you weren't hurt badly. Fact = Most disabling accidents happen at home and not in the work place. Yesterday climbing down my step ladder I though I was on bottom step ready to step next to ground. Not, I was on second from last step.

Best part is I got the next tool and back up ladder to only do the same mishap upon climbing down.

Safety at home should be first priority.

bdpreece · 11-16-2013, 10:36 AM

My last fall from a ladder got me a 13 inch titanium plate and a chance to learn how to walk all over again. All that 3 days after retiring. Sure messed up a good year of rv'ing. Glad your ok. Be careful out there.

myredracer · 11-16-2013, 11:11 AM

Well, it *could* have been worse. Mistake #1 - never stand on the very top of a step ladder. It's so easy to fall off one. Accidents often happen because of a moment's inattention and/or you're tired. I fell off a step ladder while building a house about 20 years ago. Still causes me pain and can't sleep very long on one side. Just wasn't paying attention.

Mistake #2 - doing something potentially dangerous without anyone around or no cell phone in your pocket. You could have fallen onto something sharp and really hurt yourself.

Mistake #3 - going up another ladder right afterwards. What were you thinking?

Just over a stupid branch? My DW would have given someone a tongue lashing and then you'd really be hurting...

DW works for our worker's comp. board. Falls off ladders (including step ladders) is the no. 1 cause of injuries. Always make sure you have the right ladder for the job, make sure it's at the right angle, firmly planted on the ground, don't reach way out, etc. I am reminded by DW every time she finds me on a ladder and even a stool inside the house.

Ladders can be dangerous. Treat them with the same respect as things like chainsaws and table saws.

Glad to hear you are okay and able to post the story.

papaw.1 · 11-16-2013, 12:08 PM

Hi Jim,
I did one of those Stupid!! things about 2yrs.ago.I was going to get on house to get one little limb off of roof and placed the step latter against the gutter and before I could blink I was flat on my face and couldn't hardly breathe.I ended of with a broken wrist and had to have surgery for the ligament damage.Good Luck

Ramblin · 11-16-2013, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myredracer

DW works for our worker's comp. board. Falls off ladders (including step ladders) is the no. 1 cause of injuries. Always make sure you have the right ladder for the job, make sure it's at the right angle, firmly planted on the ground, don't reach way out, etc.

I remember back in the early '90s I was working at a textile plant in eastern NC. I was walking through the plant on the way in one morning, and there were two guys on a scissor lift placing a banner way up high in the plant. The scissor lift was extended as high as it would go, and was one of those kinds that has a platform that will slide way our to one side, which was slid as far out as it would go.

One worker was reaching as far out over the rail as he could to the side, while the other held onto his safety harness. The banner they were hanging said "Safety First". I wish I could have gotten a picture of that.