Stab? No, just provoking thought and discussion on the basis of my opinion.
I gain nothing from expressing my opinion about this UK-manufactured product. I purchased one from a West Coast WC’ing supplier about 4 years ago. I have no financial stake nor do I know anyone who does.
I have read here and on other forums many instances where employers directed employees to act in an unsafe manner, including placing rocks under ladders to level, pressure washing sensitive surfaces at high PSI, and using acids without PPE (not to mention using a scraper on heat-treated glass without self- and customer-education and a signed scratched glass waiver.) Not all employers have common sense directives in all phases of their business.
Just provoking thought and dialog (but, you don’t know that about me.)
This statement sounds like hubris to me (“…if I haven’t heard of it, it must not be worth…”)
Snubbed my nose? No, just offering my point of view, which includes the opinion that a non-skid pad is less safe (can they tear?, for example) and appears unprofessional (what would OSHA state?, for example). It’s also the other point of view you mention…
I agree.
This forum is a must-have resource. Where have you been?
i work alone and do alot of ladder work. I use the Ladder Stopper all the time even for things that arent very high. I cannot afford to injure myself on the job, so i play it safe. Its a great tool, and homeowners appreciate you using it on the grass as it damages lawn less as well as on their floors inside. The tool may not be perfect but from what i can see its the next best thing to having someone at the foot of the ladder.
Your right, I haven’t been around here to know you.
Provoking thought based on belittling of another’s valid point of view or accusatory statements about how they handle or think about their employees, especially when you have no idea about them, is NOT provoking healthy debate, it’s called CRITISISM.
your opinion is your opinion and I’ll respect your Opinion.
And we were not talking about unhealthy practices. As I stated in the 20 yrs I’ve been doing this, i’ve never had anyone have an accident based on a non slip pad. you expressed what if it ripped. If they did, they wouldn’t be a non slip pad now, would they and I wouldn’t be participating in this thread.
If I was talking about a brick under a ladder or a pail on a step to level a ladder out, then I could see your point of view, but a non skip pad or a rubber backed rug is not unsafe.
I see you believe that image is everything, hence your statement about professionalism here and another thread were someone used a bath mat. My opinion is that there is a time and place for everything and some customers view that the person with the latest and greatest of everything is going to charge them more. There are other views on professionalism, how they present themselves, how they handle situations, how they treat them and their stuff, and there are those that respect people that have innovative or down to earth solutions to things without having to spend a fortune. I’ve had customers thank me for showing them a safe way to use their own ladders for other purposes in their house. Most of them already have the item under their foyer rug so it will most likely be used.
So I’ll be more than happy to hear you express your opinion not your criticism.
So ends my discussion on this thread as anything further will just derail it from the topic.
I would never use a bath mat over the Ladder Stopper. When you place a ladder (which already has non slip feet) on a bath mat, the weight of the ladder is only being displaced on the bath mat where the feet are touching it. With the Ladder Stopper the weight is being displaced throughout the entire rubber board, hence better grip and protection from slippage, in my opinion.
( I hope that made sense.)
The Ladder stopper is definitely the best piece of ladder safety equipment I have ever purchased. Second best is the Pivit Tool, of course.
PS- I’ve owned my Ladder Stopper for many years, and have used it on many surfaces. I’ve never seen it mark up any surface that me or my employees have used it on.
Nothing wrong with that. It goes both ways, though. A customer could also view one using a $2 bath mat as being cheap and not wanting to invest in professional tools. I’m just sayin…
Point well taken. I like healthy debate/conversation when its a point of view and not potentially insulting or demeaning to others to get your own view across.
And personally I don’t use a bath mat, but i respect those that do and if it works for them without issue great. As was your post.
I use a non skid mat that is used for placing under carpets, rugs and items to keep them from slipping on slippery surfaces. Its a piece of rubber matting 12" x 24" (nothing unprofessional about that) that cost about $2.00 and rolls or folds up nice and neat. Now I will say to be fair that I have to replace them every few years or so for aesthetic reasons (wearing thin usually). But that works for me $20.00 in ten years maybe. And if one is lost, its $2.00 not…
For those that use the ladder stopper, like yourself, kudos. I don’t condemn the use of it and haven’t put it down, I just don’t view it as a “must” have item as was asked by the Original Poster.
