Posted By Phizzle Morning, We have a large warehouse operation, and management have decided to have a full stocktake this weekend. This will involve office staff working alongside warehouse personnel counting stock. This poses many hazards, but one important one is the use of ladders. Approx 50% of stock location require the use of a small step ladder / footstool / podiumn steps to gain access to stock that is between 6 and 10 foot high. Obviously all warehouse staff have sufficient W@H training, but office staff have not. Do I: * Issue guidance on ladder safety to all staff and get signed acceptance? (a formal tool box talk / training may not be possible due to number of staff involved and time frame) Would this be sufficient or should I: * Prohibit office staff from using ladders? (I could 'pair' office staff up with trained warehouse staff, however this could be problematic - logistics, uneven no. of staff etc.) I suppose my main question is "What level of training / information is necessary for use of step ladders?" Looking forward to your opinions. Ian

Posted By John Packer What will they be counting and will they have to handle/move anything during the count? It will have an impact on the training and equipment.

Posted By Phizzle John, Won't be counting anything heavy, just bolts, hand tools, small plastic pipes etc.

Posted By GT Phizzle, As this forum is open to all, safety personnel and others if you can explain what your role here is, then in general people will be willing to assist? What do you think is necessary to ensure people can work more safely. Is stepping up and stepping down the main risk? Do you need a risk assessment? GT

Posted By Phizzle Hi John, No we don't I'm afraid - I'm not that lucky! I work for a small 'competitor', not disimilar to your company. We may have met in my previous life with a large Swedish truck manufacturer however.... GT, Don't think it matters, but I am the Safety Manager. I agree that office staff shouldn't use ladders unless trained to do so. Due to the time restraints, and numbers of staff involved, tool box talks / formal training may not be possible in time for the stock take. As a result, I may have to prohbit ladder use. I don't think a "ladder safety" hand-out would suffice but was trying to gauge opinion on this, and what constitutes "adequate training & instruction" with regards to stepladders. BR Ian

Posted By gvellam in our depot we lower the pallet by forklift if high to count as we have found in previous stock counts, employees tend to hurry to get the count completed and are not always paying attention to going up or coming down.