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Bailey30507  
#1 Posted : 28 May 2020 08:08:34(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Bailey30507

A designer has drawn a vertical access ladder ofr maintenance that just requires person to use (no large spares).

It is ~3.5m high - should they specify a safety cage to ladder or any other fall prevention to this.pMsf

SBH  
#2 Posted : 28 May 2020 10:11:39(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
SBH

Its all about the risk of falling - your ladder - your risk - it seems you think it needs one - so have one fitted - risk eliminated?

SBH

Kate  
#3 Posted : 28 May 2020 10:44:52(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Kate

I think there are some BS or EN standards in this area but I don't have access to them.

However, the value of cages in preventing falls from vertical ladders is contested.  They look like you are doing something, but may not actually help.  I seem to remember an HSE research report on this topic that was pretty inconclusive.

Edited to add a link to the report:

https://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr258.pdf

Edited by user 28 May 2020 10:47:23(UTC)  | Reason: Added source

thanks 1 user thanked Kate for this useful post.
Bailey30507 on 28/05/2020(UTC)
Kim Hedges  
#4 Posted : 28 May 2020 17:02:54(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Kim Hedges

I'm often required to work at height - I hate heights. 

I would expect a new vertical ladder of 3.5 metres on a building to have some form of protection, at the very least a clip on cable (man safe).  A cage is not that friendly to maintenance people, often carrying tools and bags.  

I would suggest getting rid of the vertical and go for a zig zag staircase with hand rails, it's a lot safer and medivac is easier too. 

English law is all about doing the very best, not just being legal, think of future stakeholders. 

Edited by user 28 May 2020 17:07:46(UTC)  | Reason: English law...

Wailes900134  
#5 Posted : 28 May 2020 18:30:17(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Wailes900134

The access means and platform etc need to enable any foreseeable maintenance to be carried out safely. This of course can include nothing other than access for a mewp but the rationale for whatever choice should appear in the safety file. Straight vertical ladders are easy to design and relatively cheap to manufacture... and as designers rarely go on to change filters, check safety valves, or take instrumentation readings etc at height they appear far more frequently than they should...
paul.skyrme  
#6 Posted : 29 May 2020 10:15:51(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
paul.skyrme

Machinery or building? Is the destination such that it is a confined space, or would it involve lone working? How would a casualty from there be rescued if they were injured during a high risk maintenance task? If it’s machinery then it must comply with the SMSR and thus the EHSR’s and the HD’s are the EN 14122 series.
Roundtuit  
#7 Posted : 29 May 2020 11:01:44(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Application is important to select the correct reference standard:

BS EN 12951:2004 Prefabricated accessories for roofing. Permanently fixed roof ladders. Product specification and test methods 

BS 4211:2005+A1:2008 Specification for permanently fixed ladders 

BS EN 14396:2004 Fixed ladders for manholes

BS EN ISO 14122-4:2016 Safety of machinery. Permanent means of access to machinery. Fixed ladders

thanks 2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
Kate on 29/05/2020(UTC), Kate on 29/05/2020(UTC)
Roundtuit  
#8 Posted : 29 May 2020 11:01:44(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Roundtuit

Application is important to select the correct reference standard:

BS EN 12951:2004 Prefabricated accessories for roofing. Permanently fixed roof ladders. Product specification and test methods 

BS 4211:2005+A1:2008 Specification for permanently fixed ladders 

BS EN 14396:2004 Fixed ladders for manholes

BS EN ISO 14122-4:2016 Safety of machinery. Permanent means of access to machinery. Fixed ladders

thanks 2 users thanked Roundtuit for this useful post.
Kate on 29/05/2020(UTC), Kate on 29/05/2020(UTC)
Bigmac1  
#9 Posted : 30 May 2020 12:14:26(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Bigmac1

If its a building in design, why have a ladder at all, access could be via an inside staircase. If its an existing building why not have an external staircase?

peter gotch  
#10 Posted : 30 May 2020 13:09:20(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
peter gotch

Bailey - your user profile suggests you are in London, so that CDM may apply to what is happening.

However, CDM might not apply to those doing subsequent maintence. That would depend on what is being accessed. Doesn't mean that the designer doesn't have other duties e.g. under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

However what is reasonably practicable will vary according to the circumstances.

Whilst others have pointed you in appropriate directions of enquiry, we would need to know a lot more about the specific situation to come to a valid opinion of what access would be the "right thing to do".

So what is to be accessed and how much space there is around + frequency of access and purpose + consideration of rescue arrangements etc etc.

stevedm  
#11 Posted : 31 May 2020 08:18:25(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
stevedm

....it may rely on the project Safety philosophy which will be included in the project documentation or bridging document...but in any case it will propbably reference one of the standards list at post #7...unless US standards...link below is to OSHA 

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/

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