The first recorded use of a ladder is owed to the Egyptians and Hebrews for its brilliant design Since then ladders have continued to evolve to a variety of specialty purpose including the construction and roofing industry.
The roofing industry continues to grow in relation to the booming new home industry in Canada and the United States with millions of homes and housing projects being commenced every year. Employment within the roofing industry either for new build projects or for damage replacement or timed obsolesces of roofing materials remains steady.
One of the key tools for a roofer is the ladder. A specialty designed ladder engineered for roof climbing and safety. You can often see them strapped down or chained to a roof while the shingles are being replaced and you might even wonder what it’s there for. After all, if the construction worker is already on the roof why would he need a ladder?
How To Use A Roof Ladder
A roof ladder is used in a variety of ways. First, it is used to stabilize a roofer to prevent a fall. Assume for a moment that the roof can get slippery, particularly in hot temperatures. Should the construction worker begin to slip, a nearby roof ladder would be able to be grasped to prevent his fall. They are an excellent safety asset.
In addition there are roofs that are peaked or multilevel (particularly in larger homes and buildings). While the roofer has scaled the first height of the roof he or she may be required to climb up an additional level. The roof ladder is helpful at helping the worker ascend in a safe manner. And while it looks just the same as any other kind of ladder, you can tell its unique purpose by the presence of “hooks” at one end of the ladder. Those hooks are designed to clasp on to specific angles of the peak of the roof structure to help stabilize the ladder from movement where it is not possible to secure it in another manner (i.e., with ropes or counter weight).
Two Types
There are two types of roof ladders. The type with fixed hooks (or installed hooks) and the type with retractable hooks. Neither design is better than the other and both styles have clear benefits and disadvantages for usage. However the retractable hook style of the roof ladder is easier to collapse and store which presents an advantage for a contractor in terms of transporting the tool to different jobs.
Fixed hooks tend to be the industry standard as there is a belief that a fixed hook presents with more durability and stability than a collapsible hook and many roof workers and climbers prefer the fixed hook design.
Safety Features and Requirements
Every country has its own safety standards for construction equipment. In the United States more than 532,000 individuals were treated for injuries sustained from climbing a ladder. While this statistic does not bear into mind whether the injuries were commercial or residential (private use) it is clear that safety is an issue with the use of any ladder and where human life is concerned.
Ladders for commercial purposes are required to be inspected on a regular basis for issues in engineering such as cracks or failing joints or any other issues that would compromise its safe use on the work site. Few people (private or commercial) will purchase a ladder used for this reason as the risks of having a ladder which lacks structural integrity are far too high. It is best to purchase a new ladder wherever possible and ensure that it meets with all safety requirements and governance guidelines for the State.
Roof Ladder Alternatives
While utilizing a roof ladder is ideal for preventing falls and stabilizing roof top workers, it is not a completely safe method of reaching new plateaus or elevations in the roof. For a more complicated job where free climbing might be difficult (with or without the use of a roof ladder) most contractors and engineers prefer to use a telescopic urban crane. These small “mini cranes” are equipped with what is called a “cherry picker” or small enclosed basket that can carry 1-3 workers in an upright position to a new height or work level on the site. Instead of relying on ladders and ropes and the perils of waling and attempting to climb a peaked roof, many workers and employers alike prefer the use of a telescopic mini crane as it is far safer and faster to relocate workers in this method. Mini cranes also take up little space on street level and do not present with as many risks as free climbing.
Depending on the location of the roof, individuals may choose to use another method of cooperative climbing assisted by a crane. The crane can provide stability for climbers to rope climb while safety harnesses are attached to the crane. This is a safe and cost effective method of climbing for roofing workers reducing the risk of falls or injury on the job site. Additionally more than one worker can be secured to a telescopic crane arm to provide safe support and tethering.
Purchasing A Roof Ladder
A wholesale supplier of construction equipment would not likely have roofing ladders in stock. It’s not the kind of product that gets sold every day and it is a special item order. Typically they are available for custom ordering from hardware stores or equipment suppliers and you can browse the catalog for a variety of options and have it delivered to your local store. It is recommended that before purchasing a roof ladder however from a catalog that a floor sample be viewed to make sure it is precisely the right size and design for your specific commercial job. A critical factor is to ensure that the type of roof ladder you order is appropriate for the weight load restriction guidelines. A light weight roof ladder will not be able to hold a heavy employee in a safe manner and the value of purchasing a good roof ladder is equivalent to the value of the human life that it will hold.
{ 0 comments }
