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Posted By Joanne Corr
Hi,
Does anyone know what the regs are for vertical access ladders, i.e. is there a requirement for man hoops arund the ladder to protect the user? Or can anyone point me in the right direction for information on the use of access ladders?
Jo
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Posted By Chris Pope
There has been a requirement for hoops from 2m off the ground - there is a BS to cover vertical ladders - you can get the ref off the British Standard website. HSE did research comparing the 3 strand with the continental 5 strand uprights in the last few years. Max height of a vertical ladder then a rest platform is I think in the workplace regs 6m
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Posted By Iain Milne
Hi Joanne,
I am on a temporary contract with a heavy engineering company, and they have found that the Engineering Equipment & Materials Users Association Publication 105:2002 Factory Stairways, Ladders and Handrails gives all the detail and relevant BS numbers.
Their phone number is 020 7796 1293. There may be some detail in this to be amended with the new Working @ Height Regs, but it is comprehensive in to what spec to build to and how to build detail. Hope this helps.
Regards,
Iain Milne
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Posted By brian mills
Hi Guys,
Interesting post got me thinking what is the requirement for inspecting vertical ladders and where would I find the relevant information?
In the BS you will find the requirements to meet the standard but not the frequency etc for inspection?
Any help would be appreciated!
Regards
Brian
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Posted By Joanne Corr
Thanks for the help guys,
I have another query in that there is nothing specified within the BS that extendable rails are required to the top of the ladder to a platform / landing, or rather i cannot see anything within the BS that states this. I assume that this is a work at height area?
Jo
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Posted By Lawrence Hughes
if it is for access to machinery then the 4 part BS EN ISO 14122 series may apply:
BS EN ISO 14122-4 should be out by now, it was running behind the others for issue - Safety of machinery. Permanent means of access to machinery. Fixed ladders.
14122 part 1 deals with selection and basically says you have to jump through the hoops (pun intended) to prove you cant use another method instead of ladders.
the ENs for machinery access have gone towards the German standards for access ladders, handrailing & staircases so some difference from traditional BS based arrangements.
dont forget standards are useful, but beware that compliance with a standard by a manufacturer, compliance with a standard by an employer and making it safe can be 3 different topics.
I was told the other day that hoops are not necessarily the safe option, some companies are removing them because they dont work, and that hoops mixed with fall arrest slider systems can defeat the fall arrest of both measures and magnify injury. Apparently there's some research on the HSE website but I have not had the chance to dig it out yet.
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Posted By Joanne Corr
I totally agree that hoops are not the safest option. I suppose I should explain the scenario,
I have a manhole / underground chamber which has a fixed vertical access ladder. The manhole cover is recessed into the ground and when lifted I would assume the ladder requires an extendable rail to ensure safe access to the ladder.
I don't think it would be feasible to place a man hoop within this space as there floor to ceiling height of 2950mm and therefore the manhoop wouldn't have much of an effect.
Thanks for all advice guys!!
Joanne
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Posted By Lawrence Hughes
I spotted that one in passing while trying to quote the right EN for machinery, try this one:
BS EN 14396:2004
Title : Fixed ladders for manholes
I dont know if it'll answer your questions though, I suspect that WAH & related ladder safety in the UK is probably developing faster than the european standards, even recent standards.
I've never been involved in manhole type situations so dont know about the extendable hand rail bit (sounds a good idea to me)
but as alternatives to hoops on vertical ladders there are various self retracting fall arrest line devices, working a bit like an inertia reel, which can be used as fall arrest while going up/down ladders for short distances, I would guess that they'll be a lot better than hoops. Alternatively there are rope / wire / rail slider systems to attach to the ladder if access is required frequently. Problems with all these systems is multiple users as the sliders or line end up at the wrong end for the next user, unless you have multiples of kit.
underground chamber, manholes . . . are you in a Confined Space situation? - particularly ref. rescue arrangements which would influence how you do this
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Posted By Richard Hinckley
Joanne
The subject of hoops on ladders is a "real hot potato" and we have been involved with numerous clients over the years where they have been removed them in favour of a bespoke wire based or rail vertical fall arrest system (in both above ground and below ground applications).
We are also seeing many new ladder designs where hoops are not part of the design (look at nearly all telecoms ladders).
In answer to your question on a extension for a fall arrest system for entrering a manhole there is a proprietary system on the market for acheiving this where the entrant can clip on in the safety of the ground level away from the opening prior to accessing the ladder, the travel device runs the length of the installation offering hands free operation but will instantly lock if a fall occurs.
Alternative to this is the use of a tripod and winch which would offer fall protection and also a recovery method, you didn't indicate the depth of your chambers.
If you would like any further information email me and I can send you information on the devices mentioned above, I also have a interesting document from a recent HSE study into the effectiveness of hoops on ladders, makes very interesting reading, you will certainly look at hoops in a different light....
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