Hi I am looking for some guidance on the type of guarding needed for accessing files in a strongroom we have. The files are on shelving which we have a set of steps to access the files. The steps though do not have all round protection and this has caused someone to fall backwards off these steps. my view is that there needs to be edge protection at a reasonable height all the way round to stop this happening. I am coming across some opposition to this though. any input would be gratefully received! Many Thanks Clegg

The steps are used several times a day and the employee is accessing heights of aproximately8 feet from the ground. a risk assessment has apparently been done some time ago. the individual goes up picks a file and comes down, quite short duration byt possibly several times a day. Shoes are normal office wear work shoes with no specific requirements highlighted. Hope this gives you more info?

Does that go all around to stop falling backwards?

I've certainly never seen a set of steps with all around protection. In fact I'm struggling to see how you would gain access to the top if its protected all around? I suppose you could have a gated top platform but for the time taken and process of opening and closing the gate it would increase the risk not diminish it.

Some podium steps have a chain or gate to provide all-round protection but that does seem overkill and unlikely practive when retreiving and replacing files. This can often be an 'individual' issue though. What is relatively straightforward for a 6 footer can be a significant issue for someone only 5 feet tall. Presumably there is little scope to examine document retention policy, reduce the volume and eliminate this high storage. Problems may also be down to inappropriate positioning of the steps. If there is a standing platform, then side-on access would be preferable, allowing a rail behind (assuming podium steps are used) when reaching up.