Ladders and ladder safety

[Morgan Specht]

Hello!  Does anyone know what the load rating of the "new" or "old" style "c" links, or where I can find that information?
I have the Bainbridge B605 links on my ladder.

 

[Pete K]

Ladders are not "safety gear", you won't find a PPE rated caving ladder because they don't exist, even the makers (not the homemade ones) specify a lifeline is needed.
One example: http://www.abaris.co.uk/prod/ladders/Compact-Flexible-Wire-Ladder.htm#description

Each to their own when it comes to ladder climbing with or without a belay when caving personally, but do not talk about caving ladders as if they are infallible bits of the safety chain as that is how poor practice and bad information spreads through the next generation of cavers. Any properly led club trip or professionally party should be making use of a belay on a ladder, whatever the height.

 

[Pete K]

Hello!  Does anyone know what the load rating of the "new" or "old" style "c" links, or where I can find that information?
I have the Bainbridge B605 links on my ladder.

No idea but if you have a spare one and want to get it to Derbyshire I can pull test it.

 

[Simon Wilson]

... you won't find a PPE rated caving ladder because they don't exist, even the makers (not the homemade ones) ...

Can you expand on "not the homemade ones"?

 

[Stu]

... you won't find a PPE rated caving ladder because they don't exist, even the makers (not the homemade ones) ...

Can you expand on "not the homemade ones"?

I read it as the manufacturers (makers) specify lifeline with a ladder. The homemade makers  won't have or don't have, a legal obligation to say use a lifeline.

 

[Pete K]

Exactly.

 

[Simon Wilson]

I was wondering what you meant by "homemade". I don't think I have ever seen a homemade ladder or heard of anyone making a ladder at home. Do you know someone who has made a ladder at home?

 

[mikem]

Most clubs used to...

Using a ladder without a belay (a belay being just an anchor) - better stick to the lifeline!

Mike

 

[Wolfo]

I make/repair sometimes ladders for my grotto in my own workshop, P. Allain type (@Simon, that's the background, why I was interessted about the british traditions of ladder construction  ).
Final testing under constant load, if it survives 3kN it's ok for use.

Using ladders without a lifeline is a bit of janus headed question.
From the point of safety a no-go it happens regulary in praxsis. Specially short and narrow shafts, where it's used more like a support for your hands...