I was just coming down from the roof after cleaning the gutters, when the ladder's feet slipped out. First the ladder dropped. Then I fell on top of it. All this happened on a wooden deck, with me falling from a height of not less than 15 feet.

I bruised a rib, hurt both my elbows, both thighs, my wrist, several fingers on my right hand, got a gash on my face from my lip to my chin, pierced the inside of that same part of my face with my teeth, and got several more cuts & bruises of varying sizes all over.

Oddly enough, no broken bones, no trip to the emergency room, and nothing two doctor parents couldn't take care of. In a sense, I'm lucky. Witnesses reported that I was descending the ladder backwards (with my back to the ladder) and managed to turn my body over while in the air so I could land chest first rather than back first (that would have really sucked). They were also surprised that I jumped right back on my feet; given the height, the noise, the crash, and all the blood, they didn't think I would be able to get up.

First thing I did was to catch my breath for a few seconds, and when I felt all the blood in my mouth, I checked to make sure I had no broken teeth. Next I saw blood dripping from my arms & hand, so I checked for broken bones. Grabbed my cell phone & called doctor mom & doctor dad. "Are you calling 911?" was the question someone asked. "Nope, I'm skipping the middle-man and calling the doctors direct." -- not too bad a reply, considering my state.

For all the rest of you invincible guys climbing ladders, for the love of God please make sure you either have someone holding your ladder, or you screw down a block of wood to keep the darned thing from sliding out from under you. I've been on pain killers since this happened the night before last; trust me when I say you don't want to learn this lesson the hard way.

P.S. -- the ladder is toast. My body weight crashing down on it bent it like a soda can.

 

Glad your alright, Hate to think Abendx wouldn't find you pertty anymore

 

Sounds like a rough night in the deer stand with monsta's sis.
Glad to hear you are OK. Maybe now you will have more time to post here!

 

I fell off the peak of our roof when i was 16. I did the same thing too. Took one too many steps backwards though. Fell backwards and turned in mid-air to land chest first too. Broken wrist, lip, two teeth knocked out. We are very lucky people and hope your recovery goes well!

 

Fortunate that you were not injured seriously or crippled. Most accidents happen at home. We all think when we leave the mill, mine, store or factory what can happen to me ?, "I am at home". Ladders are a great tool, but a tool none the less. You wouldn't use a shovel for a hammer and a ladder is not stairs. Next time secure that ladder, make sure that it reaches 36" above the roof line, has a 25% of ladder length angle and is mounted on a solid place. Face the ladder going up and down. I have worked in industrial construction for over 30 years. It always starts out with such a simple plan like " I was only going to look in the tank with a trouble light, I didn't smell any gas". Or " I was going to tie that ladder off later but old Joe came up and it slipped" Unfortunatly I have seen deaths, severe injuries and accidents of all types. What I have never seen or heard was, as a group of men gathered about their dead friend, " sure am glad that old Joe took that short cut before he died and got that work done the boss will be real happy" . When the skin hits the ground everybody is sorry, but it is too late. Take a moment out to consider worst case and ask yourself, is it really worth it? YOU are you own safety man at home or at work, are you a good one?

 

I fell off a ladder back in 11/02.
I broke 4 transverse processes in my back (small bones)
No long term damager, I suppose.
The ladder rung broke with my weight (265 lbs)
it was an old wooden ladder.
From now on, it's only heavy duty ladders for me.
-T

 

Glad to hear you are ok....... hang in there!

Note to self: must pay someone to install those gutter-cover-thingies so I don't have to clean the gutters out anymore!!

 

I'm not a real fan of those gutter-cover thingies. They still let smaller debris get through, so every few years or so you have to take them off & clean the gutters anyway. I've also seen leaves & debris clog them; rather than going in the gutter, they just get trapped on top of the covers.

Long story short: next time, I call a gutter cleaner guy.

 

Boy I can't beleive that with all of the money Forty has that he would make clean the gutters on the "Love Shack" instead of just hiring a gutter cleaner. Glad you were not hurt badly because if you were ABENDX would be pretty upset.

 

Two years ago a Deputy Sheriff friend retired. Two weeks later he climbed a ladder to prune a tree. He fell off and died. Coroner figures he lived for three hours after the fall, but no one was home to help him.

You GOT LUCKY

 

Went back earlier today to the scene of the accident... I used a tape measure to determine I fell almost 20 feet. I also took a look at the aluminum ladder; the thing was bent way out of shape, and one of the rungs had almost severed from the frame from when I came crashing down on top of it.

Thank you God for letting me walk away from this fall. No broken bones, either.

 

I am in construction and I take job safty VERY seriously. I have been in business for 6 years now and the worst injury we have had is 3 stitches on a guys thumb and I had a really bad bruise from a truss falling on my leg..docs said I lost at least a quart of blood into my leg...but that was me and not an employee so all is good. My leg was black from crotch to knee

 

Also...spend the extra $$ and get a good heavy fiberglass ladder, Unless the aluminum one is a Green Bull (very heavy duty). THose thin aluminum ladders are wayy to flimsy for me.

 

Sorry to read of your recent accident... But glad you were not seriously hurt.

I agree with NAFZIMO and CBSUPERDUTY though... You got to have FORTY replace the ladder on his 'Love Shack'! It's definitely not up to code. Perhaps a ramp to accommodate FORTY'S wheel chair and possibly a stripper pole as an emergency exit!

 

Haroutd

No witty comment here...just glad your OK