Ladder safety

[Snooky]

Get yourself something to prevent the ladder slipping or sinking into soft ground, e.g. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Big-Foot-La.../dp/B019N1RKY0, and a stand-off, e.g. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Homvvi-Acce.../dp/B0DFWNN1LW (other retailers are available)

But if you really dislike the idea of being up a ladder and painting, pay a professional, as others have said.

[woody1]

I'm retired so no loss of income if I break my neck.

I did look into hiring a cherry picker*, which works out about half the price for a week's hire than getting scaffolding put up, but they require very level ground which we don't have.

I'll probably end up getting a man in.

* they even do electric ones

[Protagoras]

Consider the cost of lost income after falling from a ladder and it becomes obvious that, as above, the best option is to get someone else to do it. A decent experienced tradesman should do a better job and more quickly.

It's common practice for ladders not to be used on larger construction sites, with access via scissor lifts, cherry pickers, or temporary access platforms. There's a reason for that.

[NotAllThere]

The safest way to do any ladder work is have someone else do it.

Or just get scaffolding fitted. It's surprisingly inexpensive. It was one of the least expensive items when we had our house repainted, professionally, last year.

My son used to scramble up the theatre ladder to adjust a light at 5m. I couldn't watch...

[northernladuk]

Get your hand in your pocket and pay someone. Let them do it while you sit inside and earn four times what they are.

[sadkingbilly]

do it from inside then. POP.

[woody1]

Got some 1st floor windows that need painting but not sure I've got the bottle for it. Never been keen on ladders. Not great with heights.

I assume most accidents are caused by ladders being used incorrectly, rather than people just falling off? Eg. overreaching, too shallow an angle, use on unlevel/uneven/unstable ground.

A guy where I once worked had a very nasty accident. His ladder wasn't long enough to reach what he was doing, so he had the bright idea to put it on top of a table. Can't remember what he broke/fractured but he was off work for weeks.