step lightly?

[RICHARD]

Firefighters told not to use ladders

Firefighters have been told not to use ladders to fit smoke alarms in homes - in case they fall.

Officers had been using householders' ladders to fit the alarms.

Humberside Fire and Rescue Service bosses say this breaks new health and safety laws, reports the Sun.

Now, Fire Brigade Union officials have told officers not to use any equipment that householders suggest they borrow.

One firefighter said: "Going up ladders is second nature to us. It's crazy. We're more at risk decorating at home."

Another said: "Where will this end? Will we still be able to carry a rescued person down a ladder or enter a burning building without health and safety on our back?"

[Lady's Human]

Actually, it does break laws if you are using non-OSHA approved equipment to perform your job.

The municipality can get into trouble with their insurance carrier if the firefighters are using non-approved equipment for official duties. If they purchased an approved ladder (NIOSH/OSHA rated) and used it, they would be fine.

[DrKym]

Sounds like a case of stickuopenedoctomy to me, I will happily remove the stick for them, and remind ppl that alot of what is wrong with society, results form people unwilling to take a risk, due to the fact that suing is imminent. Glad my malpractice is paid up, in case I consider performing first aid on Firefighter decent enough to put up an alarm in my home on my unapproved ladder. As I wouldn't want him to lose benefits and be sued for be decent!

No good Deed goes unpunished I guess.........

[Lady's Human]

It has nothing to do with being sued, it has everything to do with maintaining insurance and staying within the law.

[Twisterdog]

Actually, I don't think that is a stupid rule at all.

They are not telling firefighters not to use ladders, they are telling them not to use the ladder that someone has laying around in the home.

How do they know there is not a rung loose, a screw loose, the whole thing falling apart? That ladder could have been laying around in the backyard for years, rotting or rusting away. They just need to bring their own stepladder in from the truck.

I've really never seen a professional not have their own tools, anyway. The guy comes to work on your kitchen sink ... he doesn't ask to see what's in your toolbox. He brings his own tools, right? I've never had any service person do anything at my home or business without bring his/her own ladder, tools, etc.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Sounds like a case of stickuopenedoctomy to me, I will happily remove the stick for them, and remind ppl that alot of what is wrong with society, results form people unwilling to take a risk, due to the fact that suing is imminent. Glad my malpractice is paid up, in case I consider performing first aid on Firefighter decent enough to put up an alarm in my home on my unapproved ladder. As I wouldn't want him to lose benefits and be sued for be decent!

No good Deed goes unpunished I guess.........

It is not the firefighter who is at risk...it is his or her employer....the one setting the rules...paying them to do the work.

Isn't that the way it is suppose to be?