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Posted By Helen C
At what point do you call a staircase a staircase or a ladder a ladder?
I'm assessing a number of areas and, due to the nature of the locations and other hazards, water, sludge etc. I'm recommending fall arrest measures for use on ladders.....but at what point do I stop? There are 'ships' ladders, steep staircases, spiral staircases and the like.
I had the thought that if you have to walk down facing the ladder/staircase then it was a ladder, if you can (comfortably) walk down facing outwards then it was a staircase (and therefore fall arrest not required).
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Posted By holmezy
Helen,
whether you call a ladder a staicase or you call a staircase a ladder is not really the issue. Consider them all as means of access / egress to different levels, then assess each one individually on the liklehood / severity of fall.
I dont think that it would be practicable or sensible to say that all ladders require fall arrest equipment, surely that depends on differing factors, ie height, type of ladder, drop zone etc. If a ladder is deemed a particularly high risk then perhaps its not the best method of access, or it needs "tunnel guarding" or barriers?
Since I dont know your working environment, I'm possibly way off the mark?
Holmezy
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Posted By Helen C
Thanks Holmezy
They're all confined spaces and I'm working on behalf of a large company who will need generic statements that they can apply across the board - with occasional exceptions obviously!
Due to them being confined spaces, and with the difficulty of rescue etc etc etc, we normally err on the side of caution with regard to ladder access and insist on fall arrest (its also a big part of a new industry standard for confined spaces).
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Posted By garyh
Just remember that if you put people into fall arrest gear, you need to be able to rescue them if they are suspended. This has to be quick (20 mins) or they can suffer very serious injury...........
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Posted By Pat Hannaway
Helen,
according to BS 5395, part 3, a ladder is a stair with a pitch greater than 65 degrees. A fixed ladder is a ladder having a pitch greater than 75 degrees with rungs.
Regards
Pat
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Posted By Chris G
Note re the comment about rescue within 20 mins,
On 1st aid refersher training earlier this week the following standard was trained.
When a person is traped suspended or crushed, time limit for removal as trained to first aiders is 15 mins. Entrapment beyond this should only be carried out with emergency service support as risk of toxic shock on release becomes significant.
Chris G
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
If these are all confined spaces then you should have a rescue plan in place already - this is almost certain to require the person to be attached to a lifeline of some description in any case in order to efect rapid rescue. The issue of ladders and stairs theus become easier- look at whether you can safely carry the unconcious patient out or whether you need to use a hoist then work from there. If you need a hoist to effect a rescue then treat it as a ladder.
Bob
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Posted By Helen C
Thanks for all that.
Yes, control measures to limit the risk of harness suspension trauma and the provision of emergency arrangements has been/will be covered in both the generic and SS systems of work.
I was just interested to hear other peoples views on this subject in particular.
Nice to hear that views are along the same lines as mine.
Cheers have a good weekend.
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