Hi all

I'm after a bit of advice regarding tying on scaffolding ladders. When I done my scaffold inspection course the trainer advised that using the larger plastic cable ties were adequate for securing scaffold ladders. One of our contract managers has been told by the client's reprasentative that they are illegal. The only advice I can find online is a pointer to the WAH Regs 2005......

Section 8 (e) - Requirements for particualr work equipment of The Work at Height Regulations 2005 states that "Every employer shall ensure that, in case of - (e) a ladder, Schedule 6  is complied with: 

Schedule 6 - Avoidance of risks from work at height -

(1) In identifying the measures required by this regulation, every employer shall take account of a risk assessment under regulation 3 of the Management Regulations.

(2) Every employer shall ensure that work is not carried out at height where it is reasonably practicable to carry out the work safely otherwise than at height.

(3) Where work is carried out at height, every employer shall take suitable and sufficient measures to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, any person falling a distance liable to cause personal injury. (4) The measures required by paragraph (3) shall include—

(a) his ensuring that the work is carried out—

(i) from an existing place of work; or

(ii) (in the case of obtaining access or egress) using an existing means, which complies with Schedule 1, where it is reasonably practicable to carry it out safely and under appropriate ergonomic conditions;

and (b) where it is not reasonably practicable for the work to be carried out in accordance with sub-paragraph (a), his providing sufficient work equipment for preventing, so far as is reasonably practicable, a fall occurring.

(5) Where the measures taken under paragraph (4) do not eliminate the risk of a fall occurring, every employer shall—

(a) so far as is reasonably practicable, provide sufficient work equipment to minimise—

(i) the distance and consequences;

or (ii) where it is not reasonably practicable to minimise the distance, the consequences, of a fall;

and (b) without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (3), provide such additional training and instruction or take other additional suitable and sufficient measures to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, any person falling a distance liable to cause personal injury. 

Sorry for the waffling on and any advice would be much appreciated. 

Luke 

Use of the term illegal indicates a specific act or regulation is being contravened - ask the clients representative to identify which article of act/regulation specifically precludes the use of a large cable tie as a securing method for a ladder.

Must admit I have never seen such an activity on a scaffold before - normally scaffold clamps are used to secure the ladder but this is probably down to what is readily available when the scaffold is being errected.

Guidance note INDG 455 refers to securing ladders BUT does not specify exactly how (mentions the act of tying but not the material e.g. rope, plastic, webbing or design of the tie).

Easy. Cable ties snap, scaffold clips come loose. Just secure with rope. Job done.

TG20:13 states that several tying methods are suitable, including purpose made brackets, ratchet cable ties that have been approved and tested for use with ladders, plastic strapping, rope or scaffold fittings.

Regards

It is all down to what the manufactur requires, is it not? Cable ties snap and are easily broken thus leaving the ladder unsecured. Clamps or secured with rope would be better options I think.I have never seen cable ties used - ever !