Simple question-Is there a standard for kick stools?
By kickstools I mean those things that you might in an office or shop which is essentially a step up to gain access to shelves lets say.

we now only purchase the "one piece" kick stools.

This decision followed an investigation of an accident where a two piece version split apart while in use due to not being assembled correctly.

We have not had issues with the "bracking" aspects, but a significant injury to the head when one stool split in mid 2008.

During my investigation I found that 3 other large organisations had issued their own alerts. Unfortunately, only one hyperlink works now. There other two were NHS/DoH and University of Dundee

http://www.dhsspsni.gov....-38-plastic_two-part.pdf

http://www.plymouth.gov....ice_alert_for_twinco.pdf

BS EN 14183 requires for clause 5.3: Slip resistance , sub-clause 5.3.2 Rollers and wheels:-

Where rollers or wheels are fitted, step stools and rigid steps shall be designed so as to prevent any
accidental displacement when loaded. Rollers shall either be automatically locked or automatically disabled once the step stool or rigid steps are loaded.

Are they the ones from Twinco?

Mylesfrancis... read the work at height regs, the requirements are clear and absolute. Pointless quoting a guidance note when the regs are so clear...
Steve

Schedule 3 covers requirements for working platforms... Including stability, strength, braked wheels etc. A kickstool is a working platform... Reg 8 applies, reg 12 applies and etc...
All in IMHO of course, but I've been bemoaning this particular poor reg since it was first consulted on..

Hi,
The definitive guide to kickstool safety :)
http://www.toothycat.net/kickstool.pdf
Stephen

Thank you

Hence the 2nd last paragraph....
"The safety harness is recommended for new kickstool users, or when working alone"

I possibly didn't convey the sarcasm in my response!
The guidance (for those who haven’t read it, starts off in the realm of the pedantic but possible before moving off into crazed ‘elf n’ safety’! eg harness and kickstool training.)
The original issue is still there though. A young lady used a kickstool to acess some shelving and came off. She injured her shoulder and was not at work for 6 days (saving us the RIDDOR). We bought a replacement kickstool which she hoped was more stable but it came in two halves which you had to fix together. There is still a bit of a wobble where the two halves join. We are now looking at some steps.

Yes it’s the shelving itself that is being accessed more often. Essentially it the team involved only cleaned their cupboards once in a blue moon but recently they have been told that they should clean them once a month; so more frequent use of the kick stool leading to a higher risk of a fall. I know about specialist acess kit and the like but this is a lab setting and basically it won’t fit.
The team are now looking at a small set of steps to do this work.

No sorry- they are above lab benching and they are not going to reorganise the whole lab for this.
thanks for the suggestion though

I was browsing the forum and came across the postings for kick stools and the age-old question on the definition of working platforms under the auspices of the Work at Height Regs.
When I was employed as a health and safety inspector, I never once asked for evidence of an inspection each time the kick stool was moved. A quick check of the HSE enforcement and prosecution database shows that INs and PNs appear to have never been served on companies that use them. Call me cynical, but I think it is somewhat unlikely that every employer is carrying out such checks on kick stools every time they are relocated.
Whilst it doesn't relate directly to the inspection of a kick stool as per a working platform, readers may wish to take a look at a kick stool query which was raised on HSE's communities forum. Within its response, the Executive acknowledges that the step may be moved whilst in use, but does not refer to checks being carried out every time this happens:

I wish to use a mobile step stool (also known as kick step). Do I need to have attended a ladder safety course? Height from ground I access is 0.4m and I use it on a flat floor.

ANSWER:
A step stool is not a ladder and does not have stability issues such as a free standing ladder. You therefore do not need to attend a ladder safety course in order to use one.
However, it would be sensible to examine your step stool or read any manufacturer's instructions that came with it to become familiar with its operation. The step stool is designed not to move when you apply weight to it.
As with any work equipment, you should be familiar with it before you use it, and if you are not sure, then you should seek advice from your supervisor.
An employer has a duty to ensure that his workforce is competent in working at height and in using work equipment for use in such work.
Allied to the equipment is equally the safe use of it, such that you wear shoes that will not slip on the stools surfaces or you avoid clothes that you could catch your heel on when mounting the step.
Be prepared to move the step into a new position rather than risk overreaching for access to an item, and subsequently losing your balance. Don't carry items in both hands when mounting.
If you are using a kick stool it normally has rubber on the base to present a uniform, stable surface for contact with the floor. This reduces the likelihood that the kick stool will slip on the flooring. If the rubber is damaged to the extent where it might compromise this facility then it should be replaced.
The kick stool should not be used if the rubber is damaged as this increases the risk that the equipment could move when in use.
http://webcommunities.hs...ight/view?objectId=13043