On top of a 40’ ladder and having a plank hit the ladder, that is frightening. You are lucky and tough to have stayed on it.
Anything 32 feet and higher on a ladder is a bit freaky. As a painter myself, the worst thing we ever did to reach a spot was to set a 32’ up to the gutter/roof edge, then tied a 24’ ladder to the top so a guy could climb the metal 6/12 pitch roof to paint a dormer. A close second was tying two 8’ step ladders together at the top, then throwing them over the ridgeline so two painters could work dormers on either side. Labor and Industries would not have liked either trick, but when you are “point of the spear” in construction trades, you have to take a few chances.
I work for a company that manufactures products for the trade. One day the VP of Operations posted a notice that one of our plants went a year without an accident.
Honestly, that is something to be proud of and worth taking notice. But, smart Aleck that I am, I waked into his office and said...”Do you really think that’s a big deal?” He raised his eyebrows and said “Yes”
I said “If you ain’t bleeding, you’re not working hard enough.” and walked out.
I spend a lot of time on job sites, mostly during framing. It’s amazing some of the things these guys call ladders.