New ladder regulations

Trad Window Cleaning
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So here in Germany safety regulations get tighter and tighter every year now and now theyre after our ladders, so now there have to steps instead of rungs and they have to have an anti-slip coating or covering of some sort as well. Also theres trusses now at the bottom of them as well. Were now limited to , 5.50 meters of working height as well…

Heres a german publication of one of the companies producing these ladders:

There have been the first complains about them already, well u cannot put a ladder with trasses everywhere and the antislip can get kinky if u step on it wrong u get stuck on it while ur foot isnt fully on it…

What do u guys think and how is it with security regulations where u are working?

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of course, this doesn’t work for every situation, but I’ve been trying to avoid using my ladders whenever I can. I’m using WFP whenever possible and trad pole. Would recommend this to anyone! It takes some effort to get high windows done properly with a squeegee but with enough practice, it can be done.

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Here in the US, we mostly say “Fich Du, OSHA.” (Occupational Safety & Health Administration, our version of your safety council.) They don’t come around and check on anybody until there is an accident, unless you are working in a Union City/State on a large jobsite, building shopping centers or large buildings. When an accident does happen, then you face huge fines and liability lawsuits, but many laborers will do what needs to be done to complete the job, even if their equipment doesn’t meet the proper “legal requirements”. Not saying it’s right. Not saying it’s smart. Just saying it happens a lot.

Europe has the different style ladders too. Your top point tapers into a narrow single point where as our standard ladders maintain a straight rail and stays square. We have less risk of our ladders rolling off since there are two points of contact at the top instead of one. Additionally, many people, including myself, use stabilizer stand offs at the top of the ladder that spread the load about 18" (45cm) wider on either side.