Rank: Guest 
|
Posted By Philip Rowe
With respect to the new WAH Regs, I would like to take this opportunity to severely restrict (if not ban) the use of step ladders on my client's construction sites. Has anyone already instigated such a ban and if so, how well did it work?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By George Wedgwood
Bans seldom work and help you go towards a closed-use workforce, as they will see an imposition that restricts their normal practices. much better to hold a meeting and outline the problems, asking for ideas and help in solving the compliance issue. I formed an 'Safety Action team' for W@H at our place and that has worked well, developing and sharing a new policy, guidance on implementation and continual strong messages over the last year, about eliminating any work at height unless authorised in writing by a line manager. more is still to do but we are encouraging rather than banning, the use of ladders. Powered access and scaffold platforms are slowly becoming the option of choice as employees realise that they are more comfortable, safer and easier to use, than lugging a ladder and fall arrest equip. everywhere.
After all it is not just the new Regs that are forcing us to take action as we were aware a long time ago that ladder use was risky! Some new mobile (small) platforms are now around that seem to be very good at replacing stepladders. Regards, George
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By GeoffB
Could I ask why Philip?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Philip Rowe
My main concern is that although there are many new types of access equipment now available that are safer than ladders eg scissor lifts, towers etc, contractors have the mind set to go for what they have always done or used rather than take an open view when carrying out a RA etc. So they start from the angle that they want to use a step ladder and it is difficult to move them from this approach. Furthermore, although it might be acceptable to use step ladders for a task, their use suffers from 'mission creep' - they will then use the ladder for that job that is just a little bit different or involves stretching a bit further or leaning a bit more etc. We often require work to be done above concrete floors - any sort of fall even if not up a step ladder could result in an injury.
Philip Rowe
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By ken mosley
Phillip,
A bit worried about your apparent view of contractors. Never the less, the HSE is not seeking to ban stepladders. There are numerous situations where there may be no alternative other than using a stepladder. I suggest you should speak with Richard Lockwood at the HSE in Northampton. He's the guy charged with developing policy on the use of types of ladders. He recently came to Sheffield to speak at a seminar on M&E working at height.
As a practical approach and less draconian than an outright ban you could consider a permit system. Ladders should be a measure of last resort. So after an assessment if there is no alternative to a stepladder, issue a permit to use one for a specific activity.
Regards
Ken
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Ken Taylor
An outright ban could open up a whole can of legal and disciplinary worms. With arguments between client, principal contractor, sub-contractors, etc and would be a verydifficult to enforce. A stronger policy statement and requirement within health and safety plans for ladders to only be used for access and not as working places unless essential and determined by risk assessment would seem a more realistic approach.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By GeoffB
The question is about step ladders and whether their use should be severely curtailed or even banned.
Surely the point is that the use of step ladders should be restricted to those uses and activities where it is safe to use a step ladder.
I can't understand why there is talk about severely restricting or banning the use of such a useful piece of equipment.
Tell me, is there some other agenda to this question?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Robert Skinner
Please, Please, Please don't go down the 'ban it' route.
Step ladders can be very useful and have been in use, some what successfully, for many years. Get them to consider the task(s) to be undertaken and if the alternatives really do reduce risks. ie some new ladders can be very, very heavy in comparison. Alloy Towers are often used when the edge/guards rails can not fit. Does this increase or reduce the risk?
Given the modern goal setting legislation methods over the 60's prescriptive black and white, risk no risk approach, shouldn't we assess the task to establish the risk(s) and suitability of the steps/equipment that is proposed to be used first?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Philip Rowe
I am not suggesting that these items should be banned across all sites. Surely it is down to what those in control of the site consider reasonable with respect to the risks of the task. I know that, as a matter of principle, some large contractors have banned the use of this type of equipment on sites that they control - effectively setting a site rule. If anyone has taken this route, I would be intereste in the outcome.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By GeoffB
Yes Philip, I would agree with the word 'reasonable' 100%.
So is it 'reasonable' to try to (or want to) severely curtail or ban step ladders on a building site?
Not in my opinion, and certainly not what is required by the new regs - which if I remember rightly was the starting point for this question!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By Mark Eden
Whilst I can see the pro's & con's of a ban on step ladders on construction sites,I would have to come down on the side of a ban on new/refurbishment projects but allow step ladders for maintenance work.
During new works there is ushally plenty of space around the site for access equipment unlike maintenance work.When I 've been on site you can nearly always find a sub-contractor not using step ladders correctly ie using steps that are too short or using a set they bourght in the local DIY store that are not intended for construction use.
No will in the world is going to give a site manger eyes in his behind so a total ban may have the potential to prevent a lot of accidents , all be it minor ones with the occasional serious one
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
|
Posted By rjhills
I had problems last year with ladders used by maintenance crews.
Whilst it is desirable to use platforms etc, it is not always feasible.
We had discussions with the staff, and found where ladders were being used(this was for "short term" work).
Advice from HSE then was that ladders should only be used for "where work will not last longer than 15 mins., or where short term access was required. This was reflected in our risk assessments, ladder use procedures, and staff training, and was vigorously enforced.
There is some confusion about ladder use, but remember, a contractor will use what he is used to, and banning ladders would create a situation where unauthorised use would be difficult to monitor. Also, there are times when platforms are not able to be used due to access and/or reach problems.
I recommend you discuss with all relevant persons how your procedures can cover ladders, rather than expecting contractors to all stop what they will use anyway.
RJ Hills Preston
|
|
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.