Posted By AJM I guess this is a taboo subject then right :) or maybe nobody in the country has racking lol.

Posted By AJM Ray, People have racking, sometimes problems may occur like a pallet that cannot be freed or something like that. So therefore access may be required, because the last thing anyone wants is to have people climb up there. So i am simply asking how other people ensure that access to top racking is done safely ie Aircraft Style Ladders, safety cage etc. I dont think there is anything cryptic in what i am asking Alan

Posted By Stuff4blokes Alan, I have seen a variety of solutions to gaining access to the top of racking, some very much less safe than others. I have been led to believe that HSE's stance on FLT cages is that they are only really suitable for very occasional use when no other means of access is reasonable and then, only with trained personnel using maintained (and inspected) equipment, subject to risk assessment and written safe system of work. The chances of mis-communication between driver and man in the cage are great, the probability of a sudden movement spilling the man out is significant and the temptation to lean out or step on the cage is also significant. In addition, the cage doors are frequently insecure and the methods of securing the cage to the forks are not always reliable, often downright dangerous! Put that lot together and you can see why I detest them! MEWPs or cherry pickers are generally a safer option, provided the suppliers precautions are followed plus your own assesment to incorporate your own site-specific risks. You mention ladders: I therefore assume that your 15 metre height is a typo and should read 15 feet.

Posted By AJM Thank you very much for the positive replies, and yes i actually meant 5 metres. I think the MEWP idea is excellent but i suppose it depends on the urgency of the access required from a business perspective, as if you dont have a MEWP on site then would have to hire one. Thanks Again Alan

Posted By andy.c. AJM Guidance PM28 (from memory) will help you if you decide to go down the route of a FLT fitted man basket, the safer option IMO is to use a MEWP however for occasional use the cost and availability (as you mentioned) can be prohibitive. one issue to be aware of is the capacity of whichever bit of kit you are using, it is very easy to exceed the capacity when removing stock from the affected pallet it is important to assess each case individually. Don't forget to investigate the cause, if a sound pallet with correctly stacked and secured stock is placed in the racking. Whats changed?

Posted By AJM Thank you very much guys for the help and advice, its all pretty much what i thought but some good points have been mentioned. I think its obviously better to use a MEWP but the practicablility is the issue. Also I am all for stopping the reason to be up there in the first place if possible as in re-training on loading etc. I am also not to sure about the aircraft style ladders either. Thanks to all anyway. Alan