HSE WAIT tool http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/wait/office.htm I appreciate that everyone wrongly thought the WAH Regs banned ladders but is this a step (ladder) to far in terms of worked example risk assessment? Does this not risk playing in to the hands of the elf and safety brigade. I can already hear the cries of 'Does the HSE really need to spend tax payers money to tell us its reasonable to use a step ladder to change a light bulb' Discuss Anyone got the e-mail address of Quentin Letts?

I think this is a common sense risk assessment. I read the WAH Regs when they first came out and saw that ladders were not banned - since then I have always recommended ladder use when necessary. If you look at the picture you will see the step ladder has a three sided rail for user protection and a larger working platform at the top. You should be complimenting HSE for this. The problem I have is getting people to look at this type of information. Once seen - never forgotten.

The HSE advice looks simple and succicnt which is a refreshing change. The only thing I would question is do we really need guidance for changing a light bulb?

Andrew, Normally I would agree with you on the basis of the second part of Ray's comment "..The only thing I would question is do we really need guidance for changing a light bulb?" But looking at the website from the beginning, it is an excellent resource and if the HSE have got the time and money to produce our material for us safety practioners then I would just say thank you and use it.

I fail to see what the problem is also, Even us as proffesionals should use these to tools to ensure compliance, we need should be thankful for such clear guidance