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Posted By Bob Matthews
Hi All
Can you help me? I read somewhere that "A" frame ladders should not be over 3 metres high, is this true or have I dreamt it?
Regards
Bob
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Posted By Alan Barthrope
Hi Bob,
I would have thought that any ladder can be as high you like, as long as you don't use it.
But seriously: the first step would be a risk assessment.
You can use the ladder, if you have provided a means to prevent falls from any working platform over 2m. (and I know I will be shot down for mentioning 2m).
The risk assessment will determine what measures you need to prevent falls from below this height.
You must also consider what work is to be carried out and whether an alternative type of access equipment/working platform would be better.
Regards
Alan B
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
Alan is right - why should you want to use such kit in the first place? My reaction whenever someone wants to use ladders and stepladders is to ask why nothing else is suitable. If the use cannot be substituted by something else I would then be prpared to look at a risk assessment for ladder use. Even at less than 2 metres the potential for major injury or even fatality is still present.
Bob
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Posted By Bob Matthews
Hi
This is exactly the reason I want to do away with "A" frame ladders but I am looking for something in black and white to help me with my arguments
Regards
Bob
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
Look at the other thread on the proposed Work at Height Regs - This could be an arguement to get ahead of what will come
Bob
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Posted By Alan Barthrope
Bob,
Unless you wish to make the policy that these are not to be used within the Company concerned you need to look forward at how you mught use these safely.
If you allow them to be used then whoever is using them must be held responsible for carrying out the risk assessment for the location and use concerned and deciding if they can be used safely in that instance.
Steel trestles (Bandstands) and "A" frame ladders (I assume you are meaning wooden trestles) can be used safely, can be fitted with guard-rails and are quite acceptable if used properly and within the confines of their ability.
I believe you should be pushing for a puka working platform really, but if you employ competent operatives/supervisors there are ways that these can be used safely, but they must be made responsible for setting them up and using them properly.
If you are talking about the window cleaning type ladders, I would suggest that you start considering the affects that the new working at heights Regs will have.
If you wish to batter somebody around the head with legislative words I suggest you use the CHSW Regs 1996, Reg 6 "Suitable and sufficient steps shall be taken to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, any person falling".
Regards
Alan B
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
Alan
The question concerned the free standing A ladders and not bandstands and trestles with youngman type boards and guard rails etc. As policy the non preference of ladders is precisely where I come from and I feel the HSE priorities for the construction industry 2003-04 exactly matches this. It talks of "Provide and use alternatives to ladders".
If ladders have to be used then they must be used safely and only for those jobs which allow 3 points of contact to be maintained at all times unless there is an impracticability - but then where is the designer who put the operative there in the first place.
Bob
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