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anne mageean  
#1 Posted : 17 February 2010 11:01:24(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
anne mageean

Can anyone tell me if it is necessary for maintenance staff to use insulated ladders to change light bulbs? One of our staff has been told at a CSR training session that they should. Thanks Anne
ahoskins  
#2 Posted : 17 February 2010 11:15:58(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
ahoskins

Awe - c'mon... Aren't the lights switched off during this operation? A
Frank E  
#3 Posted : 17 February 2010 12:37:02(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Frank E

Fibreglass step ladders are certainly lighter which is clearly an advantage for maintenance personnel..
m  
#4 Posted : 17 February 2010 12:47:22(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
m

The fittings that contain the emergency lights will have power even when the lights are switched off. Therefore, if you are buying new, why would you not get a fibreglass ladder?
ahoskins  
#5 Posted : 17 February 2010 13:06:03(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
ahoskins

Valid points, but my reading of the question is that this trainer is suggesting that they are a requirement for undertaking such work. In my view, if you already own a perfectly adequate stepladder why purchase another for what is essentially a low risk (in electrical terms) activity? If you were buying one anyway, then the coice is yours. A
Jane Blunt  
#6 Posted : 17 February 2010 13:11:08(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Jane Blunt

I think you also need to bear in mind that it is not always possible to tell whether the lights are switched off. There may be more than one switch (as in the standard arrangement at the top and bottom of your stairs at home).
JohnW  
#7 Posted : 17 February 2010 13:14:34(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
JohnW

The answer is.... do a risk assessment. If the assessment concludes that there are enough procedures and controls in place to avoid any power to the light then an insulated ladder is not necessary. But if an electricain is changing the bulb then possibly in his 'kit' he will have an insulated ladder for other more risky jobs and the maintenance department procedures may insist that he ALWAYS use an inulated ladder - that way he doesn't forget when he really needs one. John W
Frank E  
#8 Posted : 17 February 2010 13:49:14(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Frank E

ahoskins wrote:
Valid points, but my reading of the question is that this trainer is suggesting that they are a requirement for undertaking such work. In my view, if you already own a perfectly adequate stepladder why purchase another for what is essentially a low risk (in electrical terms) activity? If you were buying one anyway, then the coice is yours. A
Maybe they actually care about the health and safety of the people whose health and safety they have undertaken to control by accepting a role in health and safety management? Perhaps they may have listened to the maintenance personnel, whose major gripe (other than H&S people) is shlepping unecessarily heavy gear around all day to perform light duties. It's almost certain they are not just changing light bulbs [sic]. IT is oftern necessary to faultfind on energised equipment. If a replacement lamp does not work the maintenance hand will probably then check there is power to the fitting. If there is not they will have to investigate why, possibly when the rest of the circuit is energised. If there is power then after a visual inspection will then they have to faultfind on a live geartray. They may have to remove the luminaire to replace a ballast. The best thing H&S people can do is ask the personnel who are actually undertaking the work what their health and safety needs are, listen to them and be facilitative.
Frank E  
#9 Posted : 17 February 2010 13:53:23(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Frank E

Edit it's also best, if you are taking away the control of the personnel to assess and manage their own risks, not to presume to know the work at hand.
ahoskins  
#10 Posted : 17 February 2010 14:01:03(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
ahoskins

Frank, If they are going to be undertaking work to that extent, then I fully agree that fibreglass would be required, but... (as you point out) the question specifically states 'to change light bulbs' and I am taking that statement at face value! We are not told what environment in which the activity is taking place, but suppose it was an office where bulb changers would generally do no more that it says on the tin? Or am I missing some point which is blindingly obvious to everyone else?
anne mageean  
#11 Posted : 17 February 2010 15:05:36(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
anne mageean

Many thanks for the replies. I believe the advice of "must have" insulated ladders was a blanket piece of advice given by a trainer does not have full knowledge of the activities and was a "catch all" statement. (similarly a member of staff was told not to apply a sticky plaster if someone needed first aid but give the person the first aid box to do it themselves). Our maintenance staff generally just change light bulbs, I would need to check if they also "fault find". I'm off now to discuss with the staff, do a risk assessment and determine if it's an electric or manual handling problem, negotiate with the boss about purchasing new ladders. Nothing is simple!! Thanks Anne
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