23.09.2012

Ladder Scissor combo

Spotted by a reader in Zeeland, Holland a man combining his ladder with a scissor and a Death Wish.

Needing to work at around eight metres with a little lateral outreach, yet only having a six metre scissor lift and an extending ladder he takes the risk to reach a window.

The situation is best described in the words of our correspondent.

“Another Death Wish in Zeeland (or is it a suicide attempt?). Driving around in Vlissingen (Netherlands) one of my colleagues saw the scene in the picture attached. A man, painting a house with a ladder which was positioned in a scissor lift (an old Haulotte H800E). Watching this he saw the man come down and approached him to explain the foolishness of his actions.”
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This man does not have any concept of the risks he is taking - Vlissengen, Netherlands

“While his ladder was placed against the side of the lift he tried to explain him that maximum side force to be put on the rails of this scissor lift is 35 kg and that he was probably already exceeding this by putting his weight and the weight of the ladder on the utmost side of the lift (width only 800mm!). One wrong movement would be enough to make the lift turn-over, killing him and probably also some passers-by.”

“He wasn't impressed at all and said he was doing it all very carefully and nothing has happened yet. Fortunately he was finished with his work but we fear he will probably do the same thing another time, another place. In this street it is clear that some more education concerning working on heights is needed. Notice the (lack of) safety rails on the scaffolding on the left.”
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A closer look

We notice that the man is wearing a harness, where he hooks the lanyard is an interesting question. A definite Death Wish