Rank: New forum user 
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Hi All,
Can someone please clarify if a qualification is needed to use a podium step? I was under the impression that persons using podium steps should be competent and trained to do so, but not necessarily 'qualified'. The reason I ask is because I have just read the following statement on a user guide from a well known hire company:-
'the law requires that personnel using steps must be competent and qualified to do so'
This company offers training courses for podium steps, and just wondered if they were misleading their customers for their own benefit!
Many thanks
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Rank: Super forum user
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No you don't need to be 'qualified' to use podium steps. Just trained in safe use. That could be in-house or by the manufacturer - depends how complicated they are to put up.
Don't get me wrong there are lots of accidents with podium steps but being 'qualified' is pushing it a bit. Lots of people making money out of lots of 'formal' training courses nowadays IMO.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Claire - A bit strong to say there are lots of accidents with Podiums - Yes there are accidents with improperly used/erected Podiums but not so with those erected and used by competent people.
These magic words Trained, Competent and Qualified keep occurring and for me the magic one is Competent as this is the standard that is set out in CDM07. Training and Qualifications are merely some aspects of the notion of Competence.
Bob
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Rank: Super forum user
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boblewis wrote:Claire - A bit strong to say there are lots of accidents with Podiums - Yes there are accidents with improperly used/erected Podiums but not so with those erected and used by competent people.
Bob What an odd thing to say. That's like saying there aren't many machinery accidents, except those with unguarded machines or untrained operators. Statistically there are still lots of machinery accidents. I was just trying to say that although being 'qualified' was a bit OTT I also wasn't suggesting complacency with podium use as there is an accident history with the use of them. Talk about splitting hairs.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Personally I have not heard of any accidents involving the use of podium steps. (I do lead a sheltered life don't I?)
Could someone please enlighten me?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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People will trip over their own shoes laces and injure themselves given half a chance, so it's not surprising that accidents occur on podiums. The principle is that all employees should be provided with training for work equipment - end of. Okay, podiums are low risk WAH equipment. However, it is a popular misconception that you do not need training on podiums, ladders, etc.
Having recently done 'train the trainer' ladders (level 2) I can confirm that ladders can be dangerous if not used properly - no I didn't have an accident, LOL!
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Rank: Forum user 
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Regulation 5 of The Work at Height Regulations....no mention of qualified there
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Rank: Super forum user
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Clairel
Your posting seemed to imply that podiums were pieces of equipment that provided serious risks and should be treated with great care. They are certainly not as risky as step ladders and short ladders that they replace. And yes I am a remarkable pedant:-)
Bob
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Rank: Super forum user
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boblewis wrote:Clairel
Your posting seemed to imply that podiums were pieces of equipment that provided serious risks and should be treated with great care.
Bob I thought I was saying the exact opposite of them having 'serious' risks - hence my saying that being 'qualified' was OTT. However, they should certainly should be treated with care.
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Rank: New forum user
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Anyways.... Getting back to the subject, I work on a few construction sites and we use Hop Ups, Podiums etc, these can breed complacency as they are low level and people forget the risk, no guarding & fall back etc etc.
On the training side of things, I believe that what is being pushed by the 'hire company' is a nice little money spinner, Surely the sensible thing here for podiums is a 10 minute Tool Box Talk and advise to always follow the manufacturers instructions.....Get a register the talk has been delivered and Robert is your mothers relation.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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In Scotland, you'd need at least one Higher..................
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Rank: New forum user
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Thanks all for the clarification, much appreciated.
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Rank: Super forum user
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No data re accidents yet provided, does that mean there is none or just that no-one wants to share it with me?
I was under the impression that podiums came to popularity following the bad press afforded to step ladders and the so called "step ladder ban".
Are we saying that podium steps are more hazardous that step ladders if used correctly?
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Rank: Super forum user
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In "the trade" podium steps are known as the "widow makers" - nuff said.
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Rank: Forum user
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I work in construction and I've never heard anyone call a set of podium steps widow makers. Great piece of equipment.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Joking - we have replaced many of our step ladders with podium style steps and had no issues ( touch wood ). Much safer.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Does anyone have experience of accidents re podium steps, please.
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Rank: Forum user
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Allan Jones
Reg 5 - Every employer shall ensure that no person engages in any activity, including organisation,
planning and supervision, in relation to work at height or work equipment for use in such work
unless he is competent to do so or, if being trained, is being supervised by a competent person.
Is training not a qualification ? Also training forms an elemnt of competency
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Rank: Super forum user
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Cragos said
we use Hop Ups, Podiums etc, these can breed complacency as they are low level and people forget the risk, no guarding & fall back etc etc
I can see this being true of hop ups, but for me the whole point of podium steps was the added protection they give, in particular guarding over step ladders or am I missing something here?
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Rank: Super forum user
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RayRapp wrote:
Having recently done 'train the trainer' ladders (level 2) I can confirm that ladders can be dangerous if not used properly - no I didn't have an accident, LOL!
I know of a chap who fell 15ft from a ladder and 'died twice' in an Air Ambulance in 2004...and now delivers safe use of ladders training.
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Rank: Forum user
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Jay Jay
Your post has a very valid point. Sometimes its can be seen as a 2 sided coin argument when discussed. My view and my opinion is that training is something that can give to individuals, which is not limited to just knowledge and the aquiring of new skills.
I believe that qualifications on the other hand are a way to ratify the training someone has recieved.
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