Ladder Safety and Scaffolding Safety Courses

March 7, 2009

By Billy Sweet
Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep
billy@billysweetchimneysweep.com
Vice-President
Massachusetts Chimney Sweep Guild

The Massachusetts Chimney Sweep Guild sponsored a Ladder Safety and a Scaffolding Safety Course today. Kudos to Jeannie Jacobson, our president for thinking of providing courses for the members of the Guild, as a way of providing value to our members. Usually this course costs $25, but thanks to her foresight and Alan’s generosity, we are able to give you this benefit for no cost. This is a great deal!



Alan Kline and the Massachusetts Chimney Sweep Guild. Billy Sweet photo.

I also thank Alan Kline, president of Lynn Ladder Corp. of Lynn, Massachusetts. Alan generously contributed his time and resources to the Guild.



Alan Kline, of Lynn-Ladder Corp. Billy Sweet photo.

I mean to say Alan was very generous. Not only did he give us his knowledge and his good humor, he gave T-shirts, hats, a ladder-offset, a step ladder, and a chicken ladder away in a raffle for all attending. A big shout-out to Alan Kline and Lynn-Ladder!

Lynn Ladder is the most innovative and forward thinking of five ladder and scaffolding corporations in the United States. They combine technical competence and careful regard for the technician’s safety with the best customer service. I repeat: the best customer service. I personally have used Lynn Ladder products since 1980. They are a class act. Get to know them. Use them.

Twenty Massachusetts Chimney Sweep Guild members and two new member applicants attended the Ladder Safety Course and the Scaffolding Safety Course. David O’Shea, who is running unopposed, and will be our next president, and his business partner Ken Testa attended, as did Tim Martinson, our secretary.

Dan Jacobson, our treasurer, and certified guild rock star paid his dues.

Jeff Ludlow, a member of the Board of Directors and three of his employees, Steven Drew, Evan Parke, and Peter Spears were there.



Jeff Ludlow and crew. Billy Sweet photo.

Anthony Glew and Charissa Ray, and Derek Hanna, a Guild Director, and Chris Pervier showed. John and Justin O’Donnell came.

Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep had six employees and five Chimney Safety Institute of America Certified Chimney Sweeps attending. The CSIA certified sweeps were Ed Harrigan, Jon White, Eric Hanson, Josh Jordan, and Billy Sweet. Sean McGillecuddy attended and is working on his CSIA certification.


Left to right: Eric Hanson, Joe Briggs, Peter Chretien, David O’Shea, Sean McGillecuddy, Derek Hannah, Ken Testa, Josh Jordan, and Ed Harrigan. Billy Sweet photo.

Two new member applicants attended as well, Pat Hart and Joe Briggs. Welcome!

The Ladder User Safety and Hazard Awareness Course is for employees that perform work while using portable of fixed ladders. This program covers the proper selection, care, and use of both portable and fixed ladders, with respect to both the OSHA laws and ANSI standards. The Scaffold User Safety and Hazard Awareness Course is for employees that perform work while on a scaffold. The program covers scaffold safety with regard to falls, falling objects, electrocution, unsafe access, and collapse. The emphasis is on hazard identification and accident prevention.

CEU’s were available for CSIA certification and for NFI certification. If you work on ladders, OSHA expects you and your employees to attend the Ladder Safety Course. If you work on scaffolding, OSHA expects you and your employees to have attended this Scaffolding Safety Course. Contact Billy, at Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep, 617-469-4528, or billy@billysweetchimneysweep.com, for more information about when the next Ladder Safety and Scaffolding Safety Courses are held.

Furthermore, if you erect scaffolding, know OSHA expects you or whoever erects scaffolding in your company to have attended a Scaffold Competent Person Safety Training. This course is for employees, supervisors, and foremen who erect scaffolds and oversee scaffold erection. It centers around frame scaffolds, while including sections on system scaffolds, tube and coupler scaffolds, as well as a section on carpenter’s scaffolds. This course covers all the safety aspects regarding scaffold components, foundation requirements, regulations, fall protection systems, access methods, estimating, and erection and dismantling techniques. Emphasis is placed on a hands-on experience. It is a 6-7 hour course.

The Massachusetts Chimney Sweep Guild will be sponsoring a Scaffold Competent Person Safety Training soon. Contact Billy, at Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep, 617-469-4528, or billy@billysweetchimneysweep.com, for more information about the Scaffold Competent Person Safety Training Course.

I challenge you to align with the Massachusetts Chimney Sweep Guild. Have for yourself, and provide for your employees the best in safety and competence training. After all, for the success of your chimney business, who is more important than you and your techs?

Register for Massachusetts Chimney Sweep Guild sponsored OSHA and ANSI approved safety courses. Contact Billy, at Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep, 617-469-4528, or info@billysweetchimneysweep.com, for more information.