It's not as simple as it looks!
Posted: Wednesday 9 November 2011
Reported in the Metro recently (http://e-edition.metro.co.uk/2011/11/08/) is the story of Paul Cavanagh’s attempt to teach a group of employees how to use a leaning ladder safely. The demonstration got off to a bad start as Mr Cavanagh forgets to put on his hardhat before climbing up the ladder. A colleague helpfully throws it up to him and this leads to one of several occasions where he is seen to take both hands from the ladder. Mr Cavanagh is tethered to the ladder throughout and presumably a number of the occasions where he takes both hands off and leans back are designed to suggest that is an effective safety measure. The Metro speculates that he then slips from the ladder with the result that he is left hanging on the wrong side. At this point the ladder topples to the side taking Mr Cavanagh with it.
It appears from the footage that Mr Cavanagh was not seriously hurt but a fall from a ladder in such circumstances can have very serious consequences and in many cases it is no laughing matter.
So what should Mr Cavanagh have been telling his audience?
First and foremost they all ought to have understood that working on a ladder is classed as work at height and as such there are regulations to govern how such work is organised (The Work at Height Regulations 2005).
In order to comply with the regulations the first step for any employer to take is to assess whether or not work at height is necessary at all and if it is whether or not a ladder is the most suitable way to proceed.
If a leaning ladder such as the one used here is required then my top ten tips would be:
- Assess the risks to ensure that a ladder is the appropriate means of carrying out the work at height.
- Always carry out daily pre-use checks to ensure that the ladder is in a safe condition.
- Secure the ladder
- Ensure that the ladder is placed on firm level ground.
- Place the angle at a safe angle using the 1:4 rule (1 unit out for every 4 units up)
- Ensure that the top of the ladder is placed upon a strong resting point.
- Restrict use of ladders to work of short duration (a maximum of 30 minutes is recommended)
- Always maintain a grip on the ladder. If possible always try to have three points of contact between you and the ladder.
- Do not over reach.
- Do not work off the top three rungs.
If you would like to discuss your health & safety requirements in more detail contact Claire Anderson.
