Throw away your ladder...

[George Krause]

I have received an email from a company in Canada selling an Eye Stick. It is a 25' extension pole, with a video camera, and regular camera mount. The video camera has a view window that can be wirelessly viewed on the ground. Does anyone have feedback on this product, or any others like it?

[chris mcintyre]

You home inspectors have a lot neat tools.:D

Eye-Stick, eyestick, The 25 foot, camera mountable, extension pole, contractors, law enforcement (http://www.eye-stick.com/)

[Nick Ostrowski]

It's a neat tool but no substitute for actually getting up on the roof and walking around. There's too much too see on a roof including flashings, roof vents, skylights, and chimneys. But, in the event of no roof access or roofs that are just too high to access, it's better than nothing as long as your report would state the limitations of the inspection method used.

[George Krause]

I know that there are many things that can only be seen from up close. We have an inspector in the Detroit area who has been in the hospital with brain damage and unconscious for days--prognosis is undetermined. 15 years experience. Found on the driveway next to his fallen ladder.

Just looking at my options, and wondering about their effectiveness.

[Scott Patterson]

I know that there are many things that can only be seen from up close. We have an inspector in the Detroit area who has been in the hospital with brain damage and unconscious for days--prognosis is undetermined. 15 years experience. Found on the driveway next to his fallen ladder.

Just looking at my options, and wondering about their effectiveness.

George, do know the inspectors name?

[George Krause]

Jon Thatcher--Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI. Room 5817. Please pray for him and his family.

[Brian Hannigan]

Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak
3601 W. Thirteen Mile Road
Royal Oak, Michigan 48073

or

Jon Thatcher
HomeSmart Inc.
520 Pinehurst Dr.
Rochester Hills MI 48309

I have sent a Get Well card. I hope you will do the same. We are all in this business (and life) together.

You can send a Get Well card (snail mail delivered by USPS) for free from the link below. InspectionNews will pick up the cost. It is the same system I use for my referral marketing system.

There is a video walk through to help you send the card.

Send a Get Well Card to Jon (https://www.sendoutcards.com/cgi-bin/trnuser.pl?socwalkthrough_start:::48931)

[Rick Hurst]

Personally my thought on this matter is this.

Cards are nice but this guy is probably married, has a family and they could use some bucks at a time like this.

I know when my brother passed away (2) years ago, the HI's on this board and nationwide chipped in unbelievably and helped his wife out. She was extremely greatful at that time of need.

I'm sure this family will need some help financially also.

rick

[Brian Hannigan]

Does anyone have an update on Jon's condition?

[Jerry Peck]

I just heard of another inspector who fell (or something, I don't know any details) and broke several vertebrae in his back, he is recovering in the hospital.

Bill Siegel, who is a FABI Director. Bill is a (obviously) a FABI member and also an ASHI member. Bill lives and inspects in South Florida (Super Bowl area for those football fans from this past weekend ;) ).

[Raymond Wand]

We had a senior inspector up here in hinterland use one of those telescopic ladders. It collapsed and the inspector had a bad break at the wrist amongst other bruising. The pins which lock the steps in place was faulty. He was incapacitated for quite awhile.

[Bryce Jeffrey]

Jeffrey Home Inspection (http://jeffreyhomeinspection.blogspot.com/)

Please access the above link. I am presently in litigation with the manufacturer of this product. Ladder safety has turned into a paramount interest to me.

Regards: Bryce Jeffrey

[Bryce Jeffrey]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hZoe4toRat4/SjfRgi5B0TI/AAAAAAAAACU/2WmbNImCq-g/S730/jhi+logofinal.jpg (http://jeffreyhomeinspection.blogspot.com/)





Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Metal Tech Telescoping Ladders (http://jeffreyhomeinspection.blogspot.com/2009/06/metal-tech-telescoping-ladders-i.html)


http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hZoe4toRat4/Sjj1YTtTLnI/AAAAAAAAADk/4NpOapBxm7Q/s320/pathetic.jpg (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hZoe4toRat4/Sjj1YTtTLnI/AAAAAAAAADk/4NpOapBxm7Q/s1600-h/pathetic.jpg)

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hZoe4toRat4/Sjj1XzPvRuI/AAAAAAAAADc/Snwzd-kDBc8/s320/metaltech.jpg (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hZoe4toRat4/Sjj1XzPvRuI/AAAAAAAAADc/Snwzd-kDBc8/s1600-h/metaltech.jpg)


http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hZoe4toRat4/Sjj1X-j239I/AAAAAAAAADU/t6vjA4rftmg/s320/emerg2.jpg (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hZoe4toRat4/Sjj1X-j239I/AAAAAAAAADU/t6vjA4rftmg/s1600-h/emerg2.jpg)



http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hZoe4toRat4/Sjj1Xm4y8bI/AAAAAAAAADM/kQGIMd-PkCQ/s320/emerg.jpg (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hZoe4toRat4/Sjj1Xm4y8bI/AAAAAAAAADM/kQGIMd-PkCQ/s1600-h/emerg.jpg)










Metal Tech Telescoping Ladders








I purchased my high tech, Metaltech Telescoping ladder from the Home Depot Store in London, Ontario. This ladder at first glance appeared to be the answer. Light weight, easy to store and everyone marvelled at its conception.



I was coming down from a roof inspection. The key word here is DOWN! The ladder suddenly collapsed on the right side. The ladder pivoted to the right and I landed in a heap on the ground. I was fortunate in two ways. First, the collapse was witnessed by a Real Estate Broker standing directly behind me. Second, he drove me to the emergency ward. I was initially diagnosed with a compound fracture of the left wrist, ( the bone punctured the skin ), compressed 2nd and 3rd vertebrae of the spinal column and a torn left rotator cuff.



After approximately six hours in a neck brace and being sedated while the initial bones were straightened, I was transported to the Hand and Upper Limb Clinic at St. Joseph's Hospital in London. I was scheduled for a 3 AM surgery as the threat of bone infection caused concerns over the possibility of amputation!



The attending surgeon, on viewing the X-Rays deferred the operation to Dr. King. Those who saw the movie by Michael Moore on the health care system in the U.S. will possibly remember Dr. King. Part of the movie was filmed at St. Joseph's and Dr. King and his highly trained team were featured.



Surgery was performed the following day. I spent three days in hospital. After discharge I endured thirty days of additional trips to the emergency wards in St. Thomas and in London. I received in excess of 100 shots of morphine, 200 percocets, three different casts, a virulent infection and lost 30 pounds of body weight.



I have been in the construction industry my entire life. Ladders and ladder safety are paramount.

This collapse took place on the 6th of June 2007. I commenced litigation immediately upon my release from hospital. The wheels of justice proceed slowly. They are however proceeding in a positive manner.




My main concern is the safety of this product. The ladder has received unfavourable reviews from Consumers. The ladder is banned in Germany. Why is it popular in Canada and the United States? I think that the answer is money and greed.



A telescoping ladder? Just how stupid can we as consumers become?


Mike Holmes uses this ladder on his popular TV show. Home Depot, Rona Stores, Home Hardware and others contribute to the problem.


I attended the testing of the ladder by a forensic engineering firm. The ladder collapsed completely under controlled conditions. Ladder companies are notorious for protecting their turf and this case will probably go to court. If you are considering the purchase of this product I suggest you extend the ladder, climb up on it and have a friend take a picture on the arc created with your weight. Check, double check and then check again to ensure that the locking mechanism on each side of each step is securely in place. Do not trust the little colour patches that have been added since my collapse! Place your foot on the first rung and then proceed cautiously into your collapse.



Take a hard look at my photos. Then choose a solid ladder and put up with the inconvenience. Incidentally my collapse was a mere five feet!

[Stuart Brooks]

The concept is very interesting BUT ...
There is no information about the company or the persons involved. Only an online order form. No address, phone number, contact information other than an email address to info@---. The only information about the company I could find was the You Tube videos, the web page order site, and the emails I get once a month. Perhaps some of you folks in Canada can dig up something.:confused:

[John Kogel]

I have received an email from a company in Canada selling an Eye Stick. It is a 25' extension pole, with a video camera, and regular camera mount. The video camera has a view window that can be wirelessly viewed on the ground. Does anyone have feedback on this product, or any others like it?George I used my PoleCam PhotoStick today. Three storey townhouse, too tall even for my 28' extension ladder. I uses a low-tech version of what you described. Paint pole with a camera tripod attached. Alright, my secret. I taped a mini tripod to a paint roller handle. I've rigged up a pruning pole attachment for a max ht of 25'.
To use, set the timer on the camera, pop it up there, snap a shot. So I went out on the balcony and shot a few pics like this.

PS If gadgets can make us safer, that's a good thing. My deepest sympathy for Jon, Bill, and Bryce.
BJ, good luck with the lawsuit, hope you nail them.

[Bob Elliott]

I made my own with a 26 foot painters pole and my camera tripod mount attached to a couple PVC connectors for $40.
It works great as all I do is hit video and scan.
My pictures can be taken off the video at descent resolution.

[Nick Ostrowski]

Sorry to hear about your accident Bryce but I've use an Xtend n' Climb telescopic ladder now for 7 years and had no issues with it collapsing or compressing under weight. I wouldn't leave the house without it. I often go days at a time without having to break out my 32' extension ladder as this thing gets me where I need to go the majority of my inspections.

[Bob Elliott]

Guys need to not use these cheap multi ladders is the issue IMO.
Safest is a good 28' fiberglass ladder with claw feet and hooks.

I do not know that this is the total solution but we should be safe as possible.

I have 2 weeks total of ladder climbing training under my belt so know what I am talking about.
The fiberglass weighs more but less prone to move and also does not conduct electricity.

[Raymond Wand]

I don't go where my 10' folding ladder will not take me. Have been inspecting for years using binoculars with not trouble.

Make your own pole camera.

Make: Online : Maker Workshop - Pole Camera on MAKE: television (http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/01/maker_workshop_pole_camera_on_make.html)