I decided to be tough and brave yesterday and do the things most of the women in our group seem a little weary of. I got myself a long ladder and started nailing the attic access and truss supports in our garage. Garages are tall and I had to use one of the extension ladders rather than our Little Giant knock-off which wouldn't reach. I was proud of myself for navigating the use of such a large ladder myself and jumping into the work without the support of a man.
I was about 2/3 of the way done and actually thinking to myself, "Hey, this is kind of fun." I adjusted my ladder to a new spot and started climbing when the ladder lost its footing on the slippery garage surface. Basically the 45/50 degree ladder slipped, slamming both of us straight onto the icy concrete garage floor. I'm not sure how far I fell--I can't remember if I was at the top of the ladder or not. But I think it was between 9-11 feet.
I'm glad my quick reaction instinct didn't include cussing. I always surprise myself that I typically laugh when I have accidents. This time wasn't so funny--it was kind of scary. So instead, I found myself saying, "Ohh, Nooooooo!!" I think I was kind of speaking in slow motion.
I'm trying to remember my geometry and physics. Was it a better fall because I followed the angle of the ladder instead of simply falling off the ladder straight down? Or did it cause me to fall harder?
I thought the slam of the ladder and me crying out was loud. But no one noticed amid all the saws and nail guns. Finally someone on the roof noticed me grabbing my leg with the evidence of a fallen ladder next to me. I was pretty much fine. Just scared and sore.
Moral of the story--make sure there is something to hold a ladder in place on a slippery surface.
I feel a lot better today. Earlier my knee looked like I had attached two golf balls to it and I have several bruises and bumps to match on my elbow and shin. I feel lucky I didn't break anything. My pinky and ring finger feel a little stiff and sometimes tingly, but I think that will pass soon.
Most of the people in our group seem scared to get on the roofs and I was thinking I would be happy to get up there. Not so sure anymore now that I don't feel so invincible. We'll see. Maybe I'll wear the harness afterall.
4 comments:
Glad you weren't seriously hurt! Be careful!
Wow, I am glad you are ok! Be careful!
Physics nerd Ricky thinks you're slightly better off by falling with the ladder because a tiny amount of energy is consumed by the static and kinetic friction between the ground and the ladder - but since it was on ice there wasn't much friction so it's probably about the same. In fact, how far you fell at an angle is probably related to how soft/hard you fell. No matter what, it wasn't good to fall. Sorry!
I am left wondering, after this fall, and Russell's recent injury, if the project coordinators have taken life insurance plans out on the lot of you...the odds seem to be in their favor. If only one of the new home builders bites the dust, they can retire.
Be careful.
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