You can either click the relevant link or download the following:
Use Ladders Safely
On average 14 people a year die at work falling from ladders and nearly 1200 suffer major injuries. Ladders are the equipment in use when over a quarter of falls happen. Common causes of falls include; the user over-reaching, the user slipping from the rungs, and the ladder slipping and falling.
More information can be found on the HSE Website.
Guidance
HSE have recently produced a guide on the safe use of ladders and stepladders. This is aimed at employers, the self-employed and people who work from ladders.
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Click the image to view
Safe Use of Ladders and Stepladders
[318KB - PDF Format] |
There is also a toolbox talk [307KB - PDF format] to help ladder users recognise the risks and work safely. This is supported by a pocket card [38KB - PDF format], which provides useful information on safe ladder use in a handy size for users to keep with them.
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Top Tips for Ladder and Stepladder Safety
[38KB - PDF Format] |
For further information: Please see the Inspector Training Pack Ladders section [637KB - PDF Format], and the updated Fall's Topic Inspection Pack [PDF Format] is now available.
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The Work at Height Regulations 2005
[92KB - PDF Format] |
This link takes you to the detailed article describing the work at height regulations that came into force on the 6 th of April 2005.
Ladders are not banned – but they should be used sensibly
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Click the image to view the
HSE Press Release |
Some sensible tips for using a ladder safely are list below. The ladder should be:
- Prevented from slipping,
- Prevented from moving before it is stepped on,
- Long enough to do the job safely,
- Have a handhold available to allow the worker to maintain 3 points of contact where possible,
- Used without overreaching,
- Inspected and checked regularly where necessary.
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Duty holders should check that workers are fit to use the equipment that they are provided with. Employees or contractors should report any issues (including health issues) that may affect their safety or the safety of others.
Some of the human factors that would prevent you from using a ladder are:
- Recurring dizziness
- Epilepsy
- Psychiatric conditions (inc fear of heights)
- Heart condition
- Severe lung conditions
- Alcohol and drug abuse
- Significant impaired joint function
- Medication that recommends you do not operate machinery could also be a problem
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Waterfed Poles Guidance Download
For further information on WFP use, you can download the FWC's: Safety in window cleaning using Waterfed Pole Systems -Initial Draft - 06/08/04 currently under review by clicking Here.
- this links to the Adobe Acrobat document – (
Safety_WFP.pdf)
