Finally happened today. Had a ladder come out from under me as I was accessing the roof on a first story. Managed to grab the edge then follow the ladder down. Nothing broken, but a welt the size of a lemon on my shin and a bad enough bump on the head that I think I gave myself a mild concussion. Managed to bend an 18 inch Etore channel in half as I rolled back after the fall. Got caught between my gut and the leather holster. Pretty bad gouge in my stomach, and thank god it didn’t perforate my stomach. Considering I landed on a deck it could have been worse. My own stupid fault. Falls don’t happen with good ladder placement. I set my ladder on a wet, manufactured product (plastic) deck thinking I would not have to go as high if I set on the other side of the building off the deck. Stupid mistake but a fairly inexpensive lesson considering it could have been worse. Actually finished the job and ran some errands before I came home, iced my owies and napped for a couple hours.
Be careful out there. Hope someone other than me learns something from this. Makes me mad; I was after two lousy windows I couldn’t reach with the wfp.
Sorry to hear about the fall. Eevery time I put a ladder up i ask myself…can this ladder fall down/slip out etc. I try not to get too comfortable, or easy going with then ladder. If Mr squeegee was talking about “stand offs” when he mentioned Limpets… I agree. No ladder placement is Routine!
I think we all get stupid sometimes. And occasionally, stupid things come around and bite us in the a*s. Glad to hear you’re okay. Nothing broken but you pride right? Oh and a squeegee;)
I’m sorry to hear about the fall. If you hit your head you should visit the hospital. You’re better safe than sorry. If you feel any pain or a headache, take it seriously. Head injuries can have bad consequences even days after an accident, and even if the bump seemed mild. Watch how you are feel.
something must be in the air as I was cleaning some gutters and walking a metal roof. I hit a slick patch and went down. Slid dang near off the roof except that my foot struck the gutter and tore it away from the house. I cut my leg on the roof edging, but didn’t slide off to the ground. All I can say is thank the good Lord one more time.
I once stepped out on a small ledge(Had done so dozens of times) to hit two windows. My hands were soapy and when I grabbed the frame my grip slipped. I threw my tools, did a flip and landed on my feet and fell onto my butt. I finished my job, and like you, went home to soak. The hot water aggrivated to two broken metacarpels in my foot and I had to go get x-rays and my foot wrapped. 18 foot fall cost me $600.00 and almost a month of hobbling around. I think the job paid $60.00. Consider yourself blessed and be careful. “Sometimes the best learned lessons come with bruises”
There is also the adage that “experience is the best teacher” but it’s also likely to kill you before you learn anything. Hopefully we all can learn from others mistakes (or missteps) and avoid the injuries. Hope you’re doing well Eric! I’d tried liberal doses of Lienies and cheese curds to aid in the healing process!
Headache finally diappeared Sunday afternoon. Talked with a couple medical friends - one a PA in the ER - and they figured I would be told to go home and rest. I did. It helped. Followed up an awful end to last week with a good start this week. My self and two of my employees - my kids - went on a three day working vacation to the Upper Penninusula of Michigan. Two homes and a business by Tuesday noon, then we played until afternoon.
Take care of yourself and get yourself some Ladda Limpets and this won’t happen again.
