This whole debate is based on deceit on the part of the originator.
It makes me very angry when I see deliberate attempts to distort the reality of any situation regarding safety issues, for the dubious benefit of the author.
The photograph of the ladder is too indistinct to be able to see exactly what the situation is, and so can be manipulated to make it seem whatever the author wants it to be.
Regarding the safety of the ladder:
If an open ended ladder is set with the top of one stile set into the reveal of the window, and the other on the wall, and the top rung is NOT in contact with the corner of the brickwork, or the stile touching the window sill, this is the SAFEST way it can be set.
The tops of both stiles are firmly in contact with the building, and the ladder CANNOT move sideways, unlike one set square against the wall where the ladder could (in extreme circumstances) slide sideways. (This is exactly as recommended by the H&S for using pointed ladders.)
PROVIDED THAT both feet are in firm contact with the ground, and the ladder is not at too shallow an angle to avoid contact with the sill, then this is the SAFEST way to approach ANY window with a reveal deep enough to accept the ladder stile. The only advantage a pointer ladder would have over the open ender is the splayed foot giving greater protection against twisting.
Although I would only ever use a pointer ladder, I feel it is deeply insulting to careful, experienced tradesmen when unscrupulous people deliberatley misrepresent important safety issues for their own selfish purposes.
Cheers
Ian
