Working at Height

Leaning Ladder & Stepladder Safety

The aim of this Toolbox Talk

Legislation Overview

Accident Statistics

Hazards and Pre-Use Checks

Positioning

Safe Use

Legislation Overview

There are various pieces of Legislation that apply to Working at Height:

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Work at Height Regulations 2005 (as amended)

Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Accidents involving Ladders

Many of these injuries are caused by inappropriate or incorrect use of the equipment

1/3 of all reported fall-from-height incidents involve ladders and stepladders

They account for approximately

14 deaths and 1,200 major injuries to workers each year.

Hazards

What are the reasons people fall from ladders and stepladders?

• The leaning ladder slipping at the top or bottom• The leaning ladder flipping over or coming away at the top• Overstretching• A fault with the ladder• Slipping or loosing your footing• Stepladder wobbles due to missing feet or not being correctly open• Stepladder being used side-on to the work task

You don’t necessarily have to fall from a great height to be badly injured. Most injuries are

caused by falls from less than 2m – commonly causing broken arms or legs and in some

instances death.

Hazards

Pre-Use Checks

Don’t use any other ladder, including those brought from home or belonging to other companies. All the company’s ladders have been individually identified.

Every time you use a ladder check it beforehand to make sure it is safe to use.

Pre-Use Checks

What should you look for?•Missing, damaged or worn anti-slip feet (essential for good grip)•Items stuck in the feet (swarf, stones, grease or dirt) that prevent feet from making contact with the ground•Mud, grease or oil on the rungs or stiles (the sides)•Cracks in the rungs or stiles of the ladder

•Missing or damaged tie rods

•Missing, broken or weakened rungs

•Check metal ladders for cracked or damaged welds and missing or loose screws or rivets

Pre-Use Checks

If you see any of these do not use the ladder or try to repair it.

Remove it from use and REPORT IT

PositioningAll Types of Ladder

Positioning – All types of ladder

1. Do not position a ladder:

• Within 6m of an overhead power line (unless the lines have been temporarily disconnected or insulated)

• Where it can be knocked by a door or window – unless the door or window is secured.

• Where it may get struck by a passing vehicle

Positioning – All types of ladder

3. Check each foot is on a clean, level, firm footing and look out for oil, grease or loose material, including plastic packaging and sheeting.

2. Make sure the ladder is at the correct height, never use boxes or bricks etc to gain extra height.

PositioningLeaning Ladders

Positioning Leaning Ladders

1. Avoid placing ladders on side or back slopes, particularly if the surface is wet. Ladders should not be used on a suitable surface where the side slope is greater than 16° or the back slope is greater than 6° unless themanufacturer states otherwise.

The rungs should always look horizontal – use an appropriate levelling device if you have any doubt.

Positioning Leaning Ladders

2. To erect a ladder, place its foot against a fixed object such as a wall and raise the other end by progressing hand over hand, from rung to rung, until it is upright.

3. Make sure the ladder is erected the right way up. If it is wooden ensure the tie rods are underneath the rungs, if it is aluminium check the rung profile is the right way round.

2. 3.

Positioning Leaning Ladders

4. When erected, the ladder must be at an angle of 75° as this is the best angle for stability.

5. If you cannot achieve this angle, because the ladder is too short, too long or something is in the way, then don’t use it.

Positioning Leaning Ladders

6. Don’t place the ladder against a fragile surface such as plastic guttering or glazing as it may give way.

7. Don’t stand on the top 3 rungs – ensure ladder extends at least 1m (or 3 rungs) above where you will be working.

PositioningStepladders

Positioning Stepladders

1. Check all 4 feet are in contact with the ground.

3. Make sure the stepladder is the correct length:

• Don’t use the top two steps of a stepladder unless it has a suitable handrail

• Don’t use the top three steps of swing-back or double-sided stepladders where a step forms the very top of the stepladder. This should ensure a handhold is readily available.

2. Rungs should face the work activity and not side-on.

Questions

Q1. When positioning a leaning ladder what should you check for?

Q2. When positioning a stepladder what should you check for?

Are there any more questions?

General Safety Tips - All Types Of Ladders

Only use ladders for light-duty, short duration work

Watch where you place your feet at the bottom, making sure you don’t miss the lower rungs as you step off

Make sure you have the correct footwear, i.e. clean, in good condition, no dangling laces

Take each rung one at a time, don’t rush and use both hands to grip

Try and maintain 3 points of contact at all times (e.g. both feet and one hand)

General Safety Tips - All Types Of Ladders

Don’t use a ladder if you are taking medication, have a medical condition or are under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Don’t carry awkward or heavy objects on a ladder. Never carry loads heavier than 25kg – any over 10kg should be avoided if possible.

Don’t overreach – keep both feet on the same rung throughout the task.

Never place a foot on another surface such as a window frame to extend your reach

When working with or close to electrical equipment ensure you use a ladder/stepladder made from non-conductive material i.e. Fibreglass.

Questions

Q1. What types of work can a leaning ladder be used for?

Q2. What types of work can a stepladder be used for?

General Safety Tips - Leaning Ladders

When possible tie a ladder to prevent it slipping. This can be either at the top, bottom or both

If you can’t tie the ladder use an ‘effective ladder’ or one with an ‘effective ladder-stability device’

If the above suggestions are not possible then you can wedge the stiles against a wall or other similar heavy object or, as a last resort have a second person foot the ladder.

Questions

Q1. How and where should a ladder be tied?

Q2. Remember to check all the basic safety conditions are met. This is particularly important if the ladder is not tied. Can you remember what they are?

General Safety Tips - Stepladders

Make sure the legs are fully open before you go up.

Always make sure you have an available handhold.

Avoid working side-on from a stepladder.

Stepladders should not be used as a means of access to another level, such as a roof (unless they have been designed for this) as they can become unstable when you are stepping on or off them.

Questions

Are there any more questions?

Contains public sector information published by the Health and Safety Executive and licensed under the Open Government License v1.0’.