Rank: Super forum user 
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I have a client who is in the recycling business. We have several big machines that occasionaly require access at the top. Raspers, tromels etc. They have what I would call access ladders but they aren't. They are a homemade means of access.
They are fixed (welded) to the top of the machine where they end and join a work platform, the feet are fixed into the concrete workshop floor.
At what point do they become stairs rather than a ladder? Is it down to their fixtures? Angle of ascent? Width of steps?
I've had a look but can't find a sensible inspection sheet. I have a feeling they are non compliant but have been in place for best part of 10yrs. So might of been compliant when they were fitted.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Do the steps/ladders have handrails? If they do, I would call them steps, if no handrail then a ladder.
EEMUA 105 Industrial stairs and ladders is a typical design standard.
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Rank: Forum user
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Stairs have risers and treads and and ladders have rungs - that's my take.
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 1 user thanked Murra1960 for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user
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The design criteria for stairs and ladders are set out in British/Euro standards, BS 5395-3:1985 Stairs, ladders and walkways. Code of practice for the design of industrial type stairs, permanent ladders and walkways.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Many thanks for the advice and what you deem stairs and steps.
These have rungs and fixed at both ends physically, so I'd call them a fixed ladder, but they don't as far as I can see fall in the that group because they don't ascend within the angles specified or have hoops fitted. But then the hoops are a whole other can of worms. And they also have a handrail uo both sides.
Now I'm confused as to what set of regs to adopt. As far as I'm concerned they are suitable, sturdy and safe. We've had HSE inspections in the past and they've never cropped up in conversation or in the report that followed.
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Rank: Forum user
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When deciding on the correct access to machinery if you are following British Standards please ensure you follow the most recent publications and not older publications as advised earlier, for example:
BS EN ISO 14122-1 2016 Safety of machinery - Permanent means of access to machinery Parts 1 through to 4 which go through good practice choices for fixed means and general, to working platforms and walkways, stairs, step ladders, guard rails and fixed ladders.
All the information you require on angles/pitch etc. will be contained within.
As with all safety the selection choice is based on risk assessment and a hierarchy of control. The preferred means of access, as far as is practicable, is in the following order:
- access directly from ground level or from a floor
- ramps or stairs
- stepladders or fixed ladders
If what you are observing do not comply with good practice standards it might be worth considering a review and alteration to ensure they are up to specification.
I hope that helps.
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1 user thanked Woolf13 for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Sounds like the ladders/steps have been fabricated by a local bobbing welder/fabricator or maintenance engineer.
The fact they don't specifically comply with one of the standards doesn't particularly matter. So long as you consider they are safe and adequate for use.
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2 users thanked Ian Bell2 for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user
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ISO 14122-1:2016 is not applicable to machinery manufactured before the date of its publication.
All of our equipment is older than 2016. So I'll have to try and find a free download and abide as best I can
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