Posted By Ian Scholey I work in the construction industry and we are now finding more and more clients banning the use of stepladders on site and insist on using tower scaffolds. While some tasks in large open areas can be carried out this way others areas such as working in a toilet are more difficult even using a compact scaffold and speaking to our operatives they feel safer working on stepladders rather than the compact scaffolds. The impending Working at Height Regulations will also have a factor on this too, but they state that stepladders are not banned, but a "suitable and sufficient" risk assesssment must be carried out before using stepladders. What do others feel about using stepladders? Do you think they are safe?

Posted By Sylvia Tyler Ian, if the stepladder is the only practicable means of carrying out the task then it has to be used. I think the problems come where people mis-use it, too small for the height, not set up properly, persons straddling it, using top 2 steps, not moving it a little so overstretching. also not opening the ladder and leaning them against tiled walls and on a tiled floor is something that I have seen frequently. If you have to use stepladders, one of the oldest "friends" of the second fixers, then reminders on good practice, toolbox talks, and managing the staff eg stopping the job if poor practice seen not letting them get on with it are all relevant control measures.Also a lot of stepladders seen on constructions have no maintenance or checks on them, they don't seem to make the PUWER register. Podium steps are mentioned quite often, have you tried them, will they fit in toilet cubicles? I can't realistically see the total ban of stepladders - but it will become the last resort, I'm sure there must be plenty of equipment manufacturers having a good think about a safer product - perhaps if anyone has alternatives that have been successful they can add them to this thread and make a lot of construction managers very happy. Sylvia