Working at Height Ladders

1. Working at Height & Ladders This is the short presentation and should take less than 30 minutes. Around 15 - 20 minutes for the talk and the remainder for questions. We want to stop situations like this. But first the background – why are falls important NOTE: You can always add items from the full talk if you want to tailor it to the audienceThis is the short presentation and should take less than 30 minutes. Around 15 - 20 minutes for the talk and the remainder for questions. We want to stop situations like this. But first the background – why are falls important NOTE: You can always add items from the full talk if you want to tailor it to the audience

2. Ladders and Stepladders At Work – Annual Statistics: 14 Fatalities (6 year average) 1203 Major injuries – 31% (03/04P) 38% High fall major injuries – 03/04P 30% Low fall major injuries – 03/04P Source:http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/pdf/rhsfall.pdf In nearly a third of all FfH major injuries, the thing the person was working on prior to the accident was a ladder or stepladder. All other categories of building access equipment were below 10%. If HSE want to make an impact on the FfH accident figures then the biggest potential for gains is addressing ladders issues. And this against a back drop of even more accidents at home. Background: 11 Fatalities due to falls from ladders in 03/04P In nearly a third of all FfH major injuries, the thing the person was working on prior to the accident was a ladder or stepladder. All other categories of building access equipment were below 10%. If HSE want to make an impact on the FfH accident figures then the biggest potential for gains is addressing ladders issues. And this against a back drop of even more accidents at home. Background: 11 Fatalities due to falls from ladders in 03/04P

3. Ladders and Stepladders At home (non-work) Annual Statistics: Most of us have a ladder or stepladder at home 50 Fatalities 37,000 Accidents DTi Website - http://www.dti.gov.uk/homesafetynetwork/dy_stats.htm) and UK HASS/LASS 2002 - http://www.hassandlass.org.uk/query/reports/2002data.pdf) None of these are accidents to workers. They are annual estimates and come from the DTi’s home and leisure accident surveillance system. The accidents figures are based upon people who actually attended hospital accident and emergency departments. So the injuries were serious enough for them to go to hospital. This explains why ladders are an important issue for the falls programme and HSE.None of these are accidents to workers. They are annual estimates and come from the DTi’s home and leisure accident surveillance system. The accidents figures are based upon people who actually attended hospital accident and emergency departments. So the injuries were serious enough for them to go to hospital. This explains why ladders are an important issue for the falls programme and HSE.

4. The points made in this talk do not apply to: Fixed ladders Other types of fixed access – step irons Specialist rescue ladders Roof ladders Step stools, including kick stools Warehouse steps/mobile stairs

5. Key Issues: Not Banning ladders Ensure the most suitable access equipment is selected and used safely Competence Anyone at work who uses or specifies the use of ladders needs adequate information and training so that they understand there limitations and safe use Competence is the key. Not just the competence of the people who use ladders but also the people who specify there use (assessors, surveyors, etc). Ladder users and assessors do not understand the limitations of ladders, this means that poor practices have become embedded and common place in some industries, to the extent that it is the custom and practice way of doing the job. This is a real problem with peripatetic workers (glazing installers, security equipment installers, etc.). In many instances people turn up at site with a set of ladders and the issue is - how am I going to this job with my ladder. The whole selection and assessment process has already gone out of the window. We need to break this cycle and ensure that people arrive at site with the right access equipment and not just the most convenient/default piece of kit. This lack of competence with ladders typically manifests is self in one of three ways: firstly – next slide Competence is the key. Not just the competence of the people who use ladders but also the people who specify there use (assessors, surveyors, etc). Ladder users and assessors do not understand the limitations of ladders, this means that poor practices have become embedded and common place in some industries, to the extent that it is the custom and practice way of doing the job. This is a real problem with peripatetic workers (glazing installers, security equipment installers, etc.). In many instances people turn up at site with a set of ladders and the issue is - how am I going to this job with my ladder. The whole selection and assessment process has already gone out of the window. We need to break this cycle and ensure that people arrive at site with the right access equipment and not just the most convenient/default piece of kit. This lack of competence with ladders typically manifests is self in one of three ways: firstly – next slide

6. Examples of new types of access equipment. A single post access platform- hand powered A scissor lift – hand powered A multiple height platform which looks like a stairway A platform which looks like a stepladder but has outriggers for stability and guard rails around a platform Other products are still in development Examples of new types of access equipment. A single post access platform- hand powered A scissor lift – hand powered A multiple height platform which looks like a stairway A platform which looks like a stepladder but has outriggers for stability and guard rails around a platform Other products are still in development

7. Safe ladders Ladders appropriate for work use Should use Class 1 (Industrial) or BS EN131 (EN131) ladders Should NOT use Class 3 (Domestic) The classes come from the British Standards for ladders BS 2037 (aluminium) and BS 1129 (wooden) BS EN 131: 1993 is a European standard and covers wooden, plastic and metal ladders. How do you tell Class 3 – Domestic equipment from the other types – as follows (next slide):The classes come from the British Standards for ladders BS 2037 (aluminium) and BS 1129 (wooden) BS EN 131: 1993 is a European standard and covers wooden, plastic and metal ladders. How do you tell Class 3 – Domestic equipment from the other types – as follows (next slide):

8. Ladder and stepladder ratings The highest figure quoted on ladder is the maximum weight (person and materials) it can carry in the working position. The two commonly used terms are Duty rating, which comes from the British Standards and is not defined. The other is maximum permissible load from EN131 which is also not defined. Therefore HSE in consultation with the British Ladder Manufacturers Association (BLMA) has had to establish a meaning. Can we differentiate between the different types of ladder? I think we can – next slide…The two commonly used terms are Duty rating, which comes from the British Standards and is not defined. The other is maximum permissible load from EN131 which is also not defined. Therefore HSE in consultation with the British Ladder Manufacturers Association (BLMA) has had to establish a meaning. Can we differentiate between the different types of ladder? I think we can – next slide…

9. Safe ladders Pre-use checks Visual and functional checks for obvious defects By the user Each working day & after something has changed No requirement to record Part of users training Establishes that the users ladder is safe to use now KEY ISSUE - the daily checks should be picking up the immediate/serious defects. You should not wait until the inspection interval to discover the stiles are damaged or some other significant defect. KEY ISSUE - the daily checks should be picking up the immediate/serious defects. You should not wait until the inspection interval to discover the stiles are damaged or some other significant defect.

10. Safe ladders Why do ladders need pre-use checks, inspections or maintenance? I am going to show you some pictures of ladders available for use in workplaces that inspectors have seen. None of these have been staged. Background: Inspections are not a charter for third party inspections Frequency of inspections should be in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions - as a guide at least once once every: 6 months – For frequently or Occasionally used ladders (daily to weekly use) 12 months – Infrequently used (normally used in excess on monthly) Still every 7 days for scaffolding including the associated ladder, but no need remove it each time. Pre-use checks are less detailed than inspections – pre-use check is only to establish that it is safe to use today. An Inspection is to establish it is likely to be safe till the next inspection. Ladders and steps are inexpensive to buy, so there is no intention or need for expensive testing. We do not want people replacing all their ladders every 6 months. Inspections and pre-use checks should not include load testing or non-destructive testing, they are purely visual and functional checks for obvious defects. I am going to show you some pictures of ladders available for use in workplaces that inspectors have seen. None of these have been staged. Background: Inspections are not a charter for third party inspections Frequency of inspections should be in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions - as a guide at least once once every: 6 months – For frequently or Occasionally used ladders (daily to weekly use) 12 months – Infrequently used (normally used in excess on monthly) Still every 7 days for scaffolding including the associated ladder, but no need remove it each time. Pre-use checks are less detailed than inspections – pre-use check is only to establish that it is safe to use today. An Inspection is to establish it is likely to be safe till the next inspection. Ladders and steps are inexpensive to buy, so there is no intention or need for expensive testing. We do not want people replacing all their ladders every 6 months. Inspections and pre-use checks should not include load testing or non-destructive testing, they are purely visual and functional checks for obvious defects.

11. Ladders Week Year 1 Raising awareness Inspection Events Local media interest Issues Risk assessment Establishing performance of equipment Maintenance Ladders week is part of a three year rolling programme of activities. We are raising awareness through inspection, events and media attention – give details of local work. OM2005/05 have further details of the campaign. Issues are: Risk assessment – have you established that ladders are the most suitable equipment for the jobs that you use them for or may use them for? Establishing the performance of your equipment - If you are going to use leaning ladders untied (free standing) you need to establish from the manufacturer how and where they are supposed to be used. You need the manufacturer’s information on how to use any ladder or stepladder safely Maintenance – there are a lot of defective ladders in workplaces. Do you know how many ladders you have? Do you know if they are all in good condition? To help we have new guidance. Ladders week is part of a three year rolling programme of activities. We are raising awareness through inspection, events and media attention – give details of local work. OM2005/05 have further details of the campaign. Issues are: Risk assessment – have you established that ladders are the most suitable equipment for the jobs that you use them for or may use them for? Establishing the performance of your equipment - If you are going to use leaning ladders untied (free standing) you need to establish from the manufacturer how and where they are supposed to be used. You need the manufacturer’s information on how to use any ladder or stepladder safely Maintenance – there are a lot of defective ladders in workplaces. Do you know how many ladders you have? Do you know if they are all in good condition? To help we have new guidance.

12. New Guidance

13. What should you do if you use ladders? 1. Read the guidance 2. Ask yourself: Have I assessed my ladder work? Are ladders the right equipment? Do I have the manufacturers information? Do I have safe ladders? Are pre-use checks being done? Do I have an inspection system? 4 key points I have done the risk assessment Do I have a system of checks, inspection and maintenance Are my people competent Have my contractors done the same? 4 key points I have done the risk assessment Do I have a system of checks, inspection and maintenance Are my people competent Have my contractors done the same?

14. What should you do if you use ladders? Do I have competent people? To do the assessments To use ladders If you have addressed all these issues 3. Do you ensure your contractors have done the same? Use of contractors - a joint responsibility INDG368 Control of contractors guidance – INDG368 You should be asking for a method statement and risk assessment. The method statement should state what equipment they are going to use and how they are going to the job.Control of contractors guidance – INDG368 You should be asking for a method statement and risk assessment. The method statement should state what equipment they are going to use and how they are going to the job.

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