Work at Height – Ladders and Step Ladders

1. Work at Height – Ladders and Step Ladders Work at Height – Ladders and Step Ladders

2. Work at Height – Ladders and Step Ladders Definition of ‘Work at Height’ : Work at height means work in any place where, if precautions were not taken, a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury. You are working at height if you: Work above ground/floor level;Could fall from an edge, through an opening or fragile surface;Could fall from ground level into an opening in a floor or a hole in the ground.Work at height does not include a slip or a trip on the level, as a fall from height has to involve a fall from one level to a lower level, nor does it include walking up and down a permanent staircase in a building - HSE Work at Height Regulations 2005 – Hierarchy Of Control

3. Work at Height – Ladders and Step Ladders Work at Height Regulations 2005 – Hierarchy Of ControlTo comply with the Work at Height Regulations 2005 an employer must carry out a suitable risk assessment that follows the work at height hierarchy of control for all work activities; below is a pictorial example of the hierarchy of control. The following slides will go into more detail as to how this is to be applied specifically with Ladders and Stepladders.

4. Work at Height – Ladders and Step Ladders • Avoid all work at height unless essential; • Where work at height cannot be avoided then the activities must be suitably risk assessed; • Prevent falls by using existing safe places of work that do not require the use or addition of work equipment to prevent a fall e.g. flat roof with permanent edge protection; • Prevent falls by using work equipment that protects those at risk e.g. MEWPs, scaffolds, tower scaffold; • Prevent falls by using work equipment provided to protect the individual e.g. work restraint harness (not required when working on scaffolds); • Prevention when harness cannot be used a risk assessment shall be carried out and recorded to justify the decision; • Mitigate falls by using work equipment to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall and protect the individual e.g. a personal fall arrest system; • Mitigate falls by using work equipment that minimises the consequences of a fall e.g. nets or inflatable injury protection; • Mitigate falls through training, instruction and other means, including inspection of work equipment such as ladders, demarcation zones, warnings, lighting, etc. Work at Height Regulations 2005 – Hierarchy Of Control (General)

5. Work at Height – Ladders and Step Ladders • All work at height must be suitably risk assessed, with evidence this has taken place in conjunction with the previous slides; • Risks and controls are to be included in the Work Package Plan and Task Briefing Sheet(s) and a suitable briefing carried to all staff involved with activities; • Staff must have received work at height training specific to their task(s); • Staff shall be provided with and wear safety harnesses / fall arrest equipment, which shall be securely anchored where required (see specific risk assessment for the activity); • An emergency rescue plan must be approved, in place and proven via regular drills; • Adverse weather conditions shall be considered and work at height shall not be performed in high winds, icy conditions, thunderstorms and heavy rain; • Staff must use/store the equipment supplied (including safety devices) properly, following any training and instructions; • An exclusion zone shall be established, marked and maintained around the area work at height is to take place, this specifically important where ladders or stepladders are required; • Ground conditions are to be assessed and made safe where required, this is especially pertinent when ladders/stepladders are selected to carryout an activity. Work at Height Regulations 2005 – Things to Consider

6. Work at Height – Ladders and Step Ladders • Is using ladders or stepladders unavoidable, and has a risk assessment taken place to justify their use? • Has the staff member received training on the safe use of the ladder/stepladder; • What is the duration of the works taking place, the HSE recommends that this type of equipment is only used for emergency/light works (not intended for strenuous works) and for a short duration (30 mins); if it is envisaged that the equipment is going to be used for longer durations then more suitable equipment should be selected; • Has the ladder/stepladder been inspected for damage and is it suitable for the activities you are performing? The ladder should have a ladder tag that identifies when it was last inspected (by a competent person) and additionally the site manager (or equivalent will have a record of statutory inspections in the site folder. If a record of inspection is not available then the equipment should be removed from use until a thorough inspection has taken place and a tag/register is provided. Ladders and Stepladders – Things to Consider

7. Work at Height – Ladders and Step Ladders • Is a handhold available and can 3 points of contact be maintained at all times whilst the ladder/stepladder is in use? • Is the safe working load identified on the equipment, if not then the activity must cease immediately until equipment is source that does identify this information. If you feel the equipment is being overloaded then stop the works and seek guidance from the user; • Is the user overreaching - when using ladders is their belt buckle (navel) should be inside the stiles and both feet on the same rung throughout the task; • Are ground conditions suitable and can the equipment be tied of or ‘fixed’; • Is The area clear of debris etc.; • Mitigate falls through training, instruction and other means, including inspection of work equipment such as ladders, demarcation zones, warnings, lighting, etc. • Note: On stepladders where a handhold is not practicable a risk assessment will have to justify whether it is safe or not to use. • Images courtesy of the HSE INDG 402 Ladders and Stepladders cont.

8. Work at Height – Ladders and Step Ladders • The user should also avoid holding items when climbing (for example by using tool belts): • on a ladder where are to be carried the user must have one free hand to grip the ladder at all times; • on a stepladder where a handhold cannot be maintained (e.g. putting a box on a shelf), the use of a stepladder will have to be justified by taking into account: • the height of the task; • a safe handhold still being available on the stepladder; • whether it is light work; • whether it avoids side loading; • whether it avoids overreaching; • whether the user’s feet are fully supported; and • whether it is possible for the stepladder to be tied off. • Images courtesy of the HSE INDG 402 Ladders and Stepladders cont.

9. Work at Height – Ladders and Step Ladders Remember ‘Take 5’