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Posted By Stacey2
I live in a 3 floor Victorian terraced house. We need to paint our windows, but only to the second story as the top story has PVC windows. I've had 2 quotes in and both contractors (all members of CIOB and Master Builders) have said they can do the job without erecting scaffolding - which is a delight as we all know, scaffolding is extremely expensive. I was very pleased that they didn't con us into having an unnecessary expense. But then a friend (who has no experience with building and painting except with cowboy builders) said that they can not do this, as it is a health and safety issue. Is this true? Please say it is not as it will triple the cost of work to be done. Please advise someone? Thank you
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Posted By Tabs
Scaffolding would be needed if it is UNSAFE to use a ladder.
Defining what is safe and unsafe is too difficult to do without a site visit (it might be a grass slope outside your windows, it might be the ladders would be in the road when at the correct angle, etc).
Window cleaners still use ladders perfectly legally when it is safe to do so at 2nd floor...
The type of task and the duration of the works also play a part ... if they are using heavy hand tools to sand things down, scaffolding would be the better choice. If they are giving a quick wipe down and touch up, ladders could be fine.
Explain your concerns to the contractors and ask them to tell you why a ladder is being used. A reputable firm conducting sensible risk assessments and employing well trained people will be happy to help you feel comfortable with their approach.
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Posted By Stacey2
Brilliant, thank you so much for your help, this is a huge relief. The windows do not require heavy manchinery, as they will only be sanding/painting. Thanks again.
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Posted By peter gotch
Hi Stacey.
Depending on your property, it might be quicker and cheaper to use a mobile tower, particularly if the situation is such that a ladder cannot be effectively secured to prevent outwards or sideways displacement, thence requiring second person at ground level.
If you are concerned you could check out the ladder pages on the HSE website.
A note - as domestic client you have no duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 or subsidiary legislation.
Regards, Peter
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Posted By Stacey2
Thank you Peter, that is a very good end note, I will relay this to my fellow house members. and I will check out the ladder pages as you suggested.
Regards Stacey
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Posted By Steve B
Stacey,
the use of ladders is usually for tasks of low risk and short duration, however you are the client and in most cases not expected to know the ins and outs of the work that people carry out at your (domestic) property, therefore you employ a reputable, competent company to carry out the work for you and dare I say Trust their assessment of the risks, lets face it every domestic client is not a safety professional. If it was on my work site however I would review and question their RA/MS and question their methods.
Regards
Steve
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
Give me and my decorator alloy towers every time. They do a better job when they paint as there is a secure level platform.
Bob
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