Rank: Forum user 
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Does any one have a maximum height you allow using ladders? I know it is all down to the risk assessment but do any of you have a shut off point for ladder use some sites requiring to install point of sale material which in my opinion is too high - I have suggested platforms but the management are arguing the cost. They want them to use lean ladders - but I am not happy with this as it involves putting up of large posters - any suggestions?
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Rank: Super forum user
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DaisyMaisy
You answered your own question - Risk Assessment
Remind your management about the hirearcry of control - minimise risk (a platform is better than a ladder)
Tell the judge you didn't use a platform because it is too expensive at manslaughter trial, see how long they get
what is the working duration on the ladder
Can three points of contact be made
I presume you have trained the staff using ladders.
Has anyone spoken to the staff using the ladder and how high they are prepared to work
When in the Fire Service we used a ladder that extended to 13.5Ms (that is third floor window and it's high)
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Rank: Super forum user
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No cut off point where I work as there are so many variables. As you have stated down to your RA for that particular task
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Rank: Super forum user
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It really depends on the length of your ladder :-) Sorry
In the good old days I saw treble 16ft ladders used on many a stately pile but these took a lot of skill and muscle to handle - let alone nerve to climb.
Bob
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Rank: Super forum user
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boblewis wrote:It really depends on the length of your ladder :-) Sorry
In the good old days I saw treble 16ft ladders used on many a stately pile but these took a lot of skill and muscle to handle - let alone nerve to climb.
Bob I was demoted for refusing to allow 40ft treble wooden extenders on my job in Manchester 15 years ago. They reached 40ft, the parapet we needed to access was about 43ft. My manager at the time said "You are going to have to be more flexible with H&S" I argued for a MEWP. He said there wasn't enough money in the job. I told him there wasn't enough rungs in the ladder. :-) He won the argument. I was transferred and a 'long termer' did the job, luckily without an accident.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I too get 'the Willy's' when (even thinking of) using a triple and like Frank has pointed out, it takes nerve; at least more nerve than I have. Mind you, I expect Fred Dibnah would be up them like a rat up a drainpipe (well if he was still alive that is!!)
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Rank: Super forum user
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frankc - Perhaps I'm being pedantic or precise in suggesting that your manager didn't really win the argument over the scenario you described at #5. It seems he simply (mis)used his rank/authority as a boss to go against your advice and use a triple extending ladder as a cheap but unsatisfactory means of access. As you say, it was fortunate that the job was completed without any accident occurring. However, if one had ocurred, it would have been interesting to see how the boss would have explained his stance about the method of access to his boss/es (if any) and any investigating inspector from HSE.
Another aspect: Sadly, the fact that no accident did occur probably served to reinforce the manager's view that using the ladder was okay for the job and also for subsequent ones of a similar nature. That's a common problem with unsafe practices both at work and in various other situations. In many cases people do unsafe things (e.g. using a hand-held mobile phone while driving) and no harm occurs. If they do it repeatedly without any adverse consequences, their (mis)perception that their behaviour is not unduly risky (or that they are clever and can somehow manage and reduce the risks) is simply reinforced and perpetuated.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Frankc
Treble 40ft equals 120ft. Treble 16 ft equals 48ft all approx. Yes the problem is that there were few accidents - by luck alone
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Rank: Super forum user
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boblewis wrote:Frankc
Treble 40ft equals 120ft. Quite correct. Bob. I did say....I was demoted for refusing to allow 40ft treble wooden extenders on my job in Manchester 15 years ago. They reached 40ft. So i assume most knew what i meant.
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