Working safely at height

[LennyM1984]

I need to replace a few gutter joints that are knackered/leaking and this means going up a ladder about 16ft. I don't particularly like heights especially when I will need both hands free when I get there to unclip the joints.

Is there any way to make this safer? My friend mentioned a harness but I'm not sure where I would clip it (through a window to something inside possibly)?

I did also think about hiring a scaffold tower but I have a few to do and suspect that it could get annoying.

So... How can I make working up a ladder a little more comfortable/safer (and yes I am a massive scaredy cat)

[Actual]

If I need to work up a ladder then I fix Rawlplug Eye bolts into the wall and then use a ratchet strap between the bolt and the middle rungs of the ladder. This does not make anything certified safe but it does stop the ladder flexing and bouncing and I feel much more confident.

[The Gauge]

I've fitted a few Petzl climbing anchors on the outside of my house wherever I might need to put ladders, I just strap the ladder to the anchor which pulls the ladder tight to the wall and can't move an inch. When fitted and left on the outside of the house they aren't very noticeable.

[GAjon]

If your nervous of working off a ladder then it’s best you get a zip up scaffold.
You’ll only make a mess of the job your trying to do, so defeats the object.
You’ll feel far more comfortable on a scaffold and therefore do a better job.

[Jimbo.]

Get someone competent to do it. Not so say you’re _incompetent_, however being overly-worried/nervous/scared just means there’s another potential opening line in any accident investigation.

Harnesses may bring some comfort, but they may also bring nothing at all (wrong one/not secured properly/not worn properly etc), and/or suspension trauma, and/or you dangling there like Boris Johnson because you’ve no rescue plan.

Mistakes when working at height are most definitely only going in one direction. Until you’re not, which is when your problems really start.

[MajorMantra]

Rather than hiring a scaffold tower, buy a second hand one for cheap. I've borrowed my neighbour's lightweight aluminium one a few times and it's very practical, and also doesn't take up a huge amount of space in storage.

[wolfracesonic]

Thinking about what could be involved, you may be better paying someone to do the job.

1. The rubber seals are perished- find make of gutter and buy new seals, or buy complete
gutter union and cannibalise the seals from it.

2. Clips on the union have broke off- replace entire gutter union, which usually entails
unclipping and removing both lengths of gutter, as the screws holding
the union on to the fascia are usually behind the gutter

3. Gutter union and seals may be fine but the gutter has ‘walked’ off the seal caused
by thermal expansion and contraction, again needing it to be unclipped and re-positioned.

It’s not rocket science but can often be more than a five minute pop up the ladder job.

[Cow Corner]

Hiring a tower or a MEWP (with adequate training) is of course the best answer. It will also be much easier to do the work and you will be able to safely store tools etc while up there.

As above, properly securing the ladder will certainly help - but obviously the risk of falling remains.

In a previous house I used a set of tall combination ladders to paint our house and do gutters etc - they are much more secure, but even as somebody who is used to heights, I never enjoyed being up there and I’m not sure I’d do it nowadays.

As to using a harness - if you are going to do this, you’ll need to seriously consider how and where you would safely attach this AND how you would be actually rescued should you fall.

[VTC]

Pay someone keep you safe and gives someone a little work.
I live abroad the locals would be on the worst homemade ladder wearing crocs
on the phone whilst smokimg and fixing the gutter or painting the house.
My neighbor had his place painted the workmen walked around the parapet painting with long reach rollers with crocs on, the drop was over 10metres.
awful to watch.
If you are not confident don't do it.

[OutInTheShed]

A ladder stand-off, stabiliser bar at the base and lashing the ladder to something solid are all helpful aids.
A better quality ladder is also good.

Scaffold towers and the like are only safer is used correctly on good ground.

If you're not happy working with ladders, don't.
Find someone who is.

[Aluminati]

If you’re not comfortable working at height, especially off a ladder. Pay someone.

[BlindedByTheLights]

Sit down and watch a few episodes of 24 hours in A&E, then pay someone to come and do it properly off a tower scaffold.

Also a little tip if ladder use is unavoidable, wear a helmet, the damage it can mitigate is astonishing.