We preach about the safe use of ladders on a regular basis. In fact, we've got a whole collection of blogs that focus primarily on the safe use of ladders! Of course, as with every walk of life, there are some people who just love to break the rules and generally behave in a dangerous manner.
We call these people, idiots on ladders. This is not just a term we have coined for ourselves, this is a legitimate term that even has an annual competition that's run by the Ladder Association. That's right, people send photographs of dangerous ladder users in, and the most ridiculous of the bunch wins.
For now, we want to show you some of the funniest, and most dangerous ladder stories that we've come across. Don't be fooled, we aren't trying to inspire or encourage you to be one of the biggest idiots on a ladder (it's definitely not a good achievement) - but we can appreciate a funny story when we read one!
The Bin Ladder
Let's start with a gentleman who clearly couldn't wait to fix the vent on the outside of his home. With a ladder that was clearly a metre or two too short, he decided to balance it on top of a wheelie bin to gain the extra height.
Now, if you've ever felt the lid of a wheelie bin before, you'll know it's fairly pliable - definitely not the flat, firm surface that we'd recommend you use your ladder on. Not only that, but wheelie bins have wheels and can be easily tipped over. One accidental tilt or turn could have sent him flying! You have to laugh at this silly decision & pray that he didn't get hurt...
We'd recommend that this gentleman purchases an extension ladder that's the correct length for the job at hand, in future. We'd probably also urge him to stick to solid ground and use rubber ladder mats for added safety! Whether he'd take our advice or not, is another story.
See the Bin Ladder >
The Make-Shift Platform Ladder
Next up is a gentleman who was adding panelling to the outside of his home. Working from the bottom up, he realised that he would need a platform ladder if he was going to be able to do the panelling on the third floor. Rather than investing in a safe, secure and suitable platform ladder, he decided to make his own... oh dear.
When we say he made his own, what he actually did was strap an old wooden ladder between two extension ladders leant up against the house. And no, he wasn't a few feet off the ground, he was three storeys high! The most worrying thing of all is that he no doubt made the unstable structure even taller to finish the entire house. We're not sure whether or not this project was completed without injury, but we don't imagine it ended well.
For jobs like this that require time and equipment, professional work platforms and staging boards are the way to go. They offer excellent stability and space so you can get the job done safely.
Take a look at the make-shift ladder >
Close to the Cable
Lastly, we have a gentleman who needed to access the roof of a building in order to carry out some repair work. His decision to use his van as a 'stable surface' for his ladder is one thing (what a silly idea that was), but the really concerning aspect of this story is the ominous overhead cable that he paid very little attention to. Was it a live cable? Who knows. We're not even sure if he knew! If it was, this man could have received a potentially in for a life-threatening shock. Of course, a shock like this would definitely NOT be funny, but you have to laugh at this poor guy's attempt, or you'll cry!
For scenarios like this where you are potentially going to be exposed to an electrical hazard, we would recommend choosing a fibreglass ladder or a set of fibreglass steps (as well as taking his ladder down from the top of his van). These highly non-conductive ladders are fitted with rubber feet for stability and grounding. Taking precautions around electrical hazards like this could seriously save your life.
See the close call >
Please remember, we would never, ever, recommend trying any of these things yourself. You should always use your ladder in a safe and proper way! If you're looking for high-quality ladders for a DIY job or for your business, we can help.
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