Posted By Pugwash
Have a look at this from a local newspaper on Humberside. Thanks to JEB who posted the link in another thread. Not a good outcome!
http://www.thisishull.co...36245&contentPK=16417388The text of the article is below but its worth going to the link above to see the subsequent discussion.
Firefighters in Hull and the East Riding have been advised to stop using stepladders when fitting smoke alarms. Representatives from the Fire Brigade Union (FBU) said firefighters should not use stepladders at work because they were not "fit for purpose", according to new legislation from the Health and Safety Executive. Today, senior managers at Humberside Fire and Rescue Service revealed they were reviewing procedures and equipment to see if the ladders posed an "unacceptable" risk.
Sean Starbuck, FBU regional chair for Yorkshire and Humberside, said: "The use of stepladders to fit smoke alarms contravenes working at height regulations, which were introduced by the Government. "We have raised the issue and the Health and Safety Executive has agreed a review is needed." But highly-trained firefighters, used to scaling heights on extension ladders to rescue people, said they believed the ladders were safe. One, who asked not to be named, said: "Is it me or is this an example of health and safety gone mad?" Another asked: "Where will this end? Will we still be able to carry a rescued person down a ladder or enter a burning building without the HSE on our back?"
Brigade spokesman Glenn Ramsden said a review was necessary, as the brigade had to comply with health and safety rules. But he said: "This does not mean we will stop fitting alarms in homes, but we are looking at the equipment our teams use and the way in which they approach their work." The brigade offers free home fire assessments and will fit free smoke detectors if necessary.
Stepladders are routinely used by firefighters to install smoke alarms. In the past year, Humberside firefighters have fitted about 15,000. Mr Ramsden said: "The fitting of smoke alarms in homes is a fairly recent initiative introduced to the role of the fire and rescue service. "Although it is not emergency work, we see it as a planned activity and it is essential to the survival of any family if a house fire occurs. "The service, just like any other organisation, is not exempt from the legislation." The service may consider a platform, rather than a ladder, to comply with regulations.
HSE Work At Height Regulations 2005 state employers must select the "most suitable" equipment and ensure protection measures are in place. Mr Ramsden stressed no decision had been made regarding the use of the ladders. He said: "When the best system of work has been selected and risk assessed, all of this information is then put into a working document telling staff how to perform a task safely."
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents says 40,000 people attend hospital each year with "ladder related" injuries. A spokeswoman said: "If used correctly, ladders are still a much safer way of working at height than standing on household items." Lisa Fowlie, president of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, said she believed stepladders could be safely used in the workplace. Noel Marshall, of east Hull, a decorator for 21 years, has used a stepladder almost daily without injury. He said: "They can be dangerous, but only if you're not sensible."
No figures are available to show how many firefighters have been injured while using stepladders.