bobgaggle
Well-Known Member
Ladders are one of those, "you manage your own risk" type of devices. Assuming the ladder isn't falling apart, its only as safe as you are. Like some of the others, I've ridden around on an A frame with the telescoping center straight ladder. Yep its like climbing the mast of a tall ship out at sea, but if you do the leg wrap through the rungs you can securely work with both hands. I've also been clipped in atop a scissor lift on the stage of a cruise ship when the storm blew in. Felt way safer on the old rolling A frame. It should be understood that if you climb a ladder, you may fall off. One of those inherent risks we can never mitigate to zero.
Now to the task at hand, the least scary FOH light pipe access I've come across is the purpose built rolling wagon with different height legs for the rake of the house. Fixed casters, lots of bracing to straddle the seats. A frame ladder bolted to the deck of the platform. Now, say what you will about the risk of the next part. Somebody had rigged up a little dumbwaiter type tray thing, so the guy perched at the top didn't have to bring all his gel frames and gobos and such up the ladder with him. Ground guys would roll him over to the next light and send up the appropriate bits.
Now to the task at hand, the least scary FOH light pipe access I've come across is the purpose built rolling wagon with different height legs for the rake of the house. Fixed casters, lots of bracing to straddle the seats. A frame ladder bolted to the deck of the platform. Now, say what you will about the risk of the next part. Somebody had rigged up a little dumbwaiter type tray thing, so the guy perched at the top didn't have to bring all his gel frames and gobos and such up the ladder with him. Ground guys would roll him over to the next light and send up the appropriate bits.