How to install a floodlight safely while up ladders

[captaincaveman]

Hi guys & gals,

I'm just curious at how other sparkys install or replace accessories (floodlights, cctv cameras, etc. - domestic work in mind) while working on extension ladders?
Supposedly you should be doing it with 1 hand while the other holds on to the ladder but holding a floodlight, for example, in place while you put screws in is not an easy feat with one hand! In theory a pen pusher would say put scaffold up but show me a sparky who puts scaffold up to replace a customers home floodlight and I'll run round Manchester naked.
I was looking yesterday at gooseneck clamps and such to hold the accessory in place. Does anyone else use a particular gadget for this kind of job or does everyone else just grip the cable in their mouth, to stop the floodlight falling, while they thumble around dropping screws like me?

 

[nicebutdim]

I get the impression most people seem to take care using good ladders and securing them etc, but everyone seems to be in the same boat as to breaching the 3 points of contact rule by using 2 hands to work. Interesting

Your knees can be points of contact.

 

[captaincaveman]

Your knees can be points of contact.

My knees are far to buggered to rely on 5m up lol

 

[SparkySy]

I have a ladderboard like @catdog1121 posted earlier which is great for stopping the ladder from sliding or swiveling round! I will Park something heavy at the bottom of ladders as well and on occasions have them tied off to an eyelet bolt if I think it's looking dodgy.
For post work I have a pole adaptor for the top that is great and will tie them off to the pole or stake the feet if possible. I do have a proper pole harness as well just in case. I recently worried a customer while removing a large streetlight head as she didn't realize I had it on as I leaned back to remove the head she thought I was falling off!
If and wherever possible I will use a platform or tower for things that are above eves height. Sometimes it's just not possible.
Plus I hate ladders with a passion, I would rather be swinging from a well fixed rope than climb a ladder!

 

[telectrix]

so.... how to install a floodlight here?

Kids Climb 2,500-Foot Bamboo Ladder to Get Home From School

Just to get home from school, they climb more than 2,500 feet toward the sky — on a ladder made of bamboo and secured to a sheer cliff face.

www.nbcnews.com

 

[pc1966]

I'm not usually trying to work 5m up, that is a touch high for comfort unless helper at bottom of ladder, etc. I never really though about "3 points of contact" but I guess indistinctively try to keep knees/shins in contact so there is some leverage to stabilise myself.

I have a a fall-arrest harness sort of thing somewhere, but (a) it is well past its certified date for the rip-tape thing, and (b) I suspect if attached to the ladder and not a proper bolt point it would do little to stop me hitting the ground.

 

[DJAndy]

Your knees can be points of contact.

My belly wedges in between ladder stiles leaving both hands free for the task

 

[DPG]

My belly wedges in between ladder stiles leaving both hands free for the task

Not bragging or anything, but I wrap my nob around one of the rungs a few times to maintain the 3 points of contact. Never seen this method mentioned in any guidance leaflets though.

 

[Mikegh]

I'm not usually trying to work 5m up, that is a touch high for comfort unless helper at bottom of ladder, etc. I never really though about "3 points of contact" but I guess indistinctively try to keep knees/shins in contact so there is some leverage to stabilise myself.

I have a a fall-arrest harness sort of thing somewhere, but (a) it is well past its certified date for the rip-tape thing, and (b) I suspect if attached to the ladder and not a proper bolt point it would do little to stop me hitting the ground.

Reminds me of a recent safety course

Instructor showing a slide demonstrating how some guy was half killed not using a harness correctly

He then asked the rhetorical question " did the harness do its job ? "

 

[mickhelectrica]

Hi guys & gals,

I'm just curious at how other sparkys install or replace accessories (floodlights, cctv cameras, etc. - domestic work in mind) while working on extension ladders?
Supposedly you should be doing it with 1 hand while the other holds on to the ladder but holding a floodlight, for example, in place while you put screws in is not an easy feat with one hand! In theory a pen pusher would say put scaffold up but show me a sparky who puts scaffold up to replace a customers home floodlight and I'll run round Manchester naked.
I was looking yesterday at gooseneck clamps and such to hold the accessory in place. Does anyone else use a particular gadget for this kind of job or does everyone else just grip the cable in their mouth, to stop the floodlight falling, while they thumble around dropping screws like me?

I saw a guy using one of these on Next doors house. Looks like a good bit of kit but don't step backwards. Lol.

extending ladder platform - Bing

La recherche intelligente de Bing facilite la recherche rapide et vous récompense.

www.bing.com

 

[ipf]

Not bragging or anything, but I wrap my nob around one of the rungs a few times to maintain the 3 points of contact. Never seen this method mentioned in any guidance leaflets though.

Might have proved a bit difficult when I was swimming in the Olympics................. but might have come in useful doing my world renound, individual, circus high trapeze act.

 

[Mikegh]

I saw a guy using one of these on Next doors house. Looks like a good bit of kit but don't step backwards. Lol. View attachment 93086

extending ladder platform - Bing

La recherche intelligente de Bing facilite la recherche rapide et vous récompense.

www.bing.com

That's a definite no from me