+1 to all on staying off ladders (and roofs).
A friend of mine fell off a ladder a few years ago and suffered a sever brain injury, nearly died and is now struggling with memory problems, was forced to leave his job because he could no longer perform with his impairment and his family is having financial difficulties as a result.
Another person I used to work with fell of a ladder and busted up his back, took a long time to recuperate and last I knew still needed a cane and walks with a limp.
Neither instance was particularly high (both less than 20' as I recall). Both of these made me decide to hire anything over 8' high out - it's not worth the risk.
Also, a couple years ago my 73 yo uncle injured his leg working on a roof. I saw him a short while later while he was still limping around and I said "Uncle, I have a question for you." He said "What" and I replied "What the $%^& were you doing up on a roof; do you have a %^&*ing death wish?". He replied that he had to go up and fix the roof himself because the young guys just don't do it right (he's a builder, still not retired though he can certainly afford to, but that's a whole other story). Stubborn old man.
