1. Toolbox Talk: LADDERS All Bridgeway employees who use Ladders
Saturday, 22 September 2018
Version 3 – 06 November 2014

2. Leaning Ladders, Extension Ladders and Stepladder Safety
Toolbox talk:
Leaning Ladders, Extension Ladders and Stepladder Safety

3. Introducing the toolbox talk
Why talk about ladders?
Every year around:
14 people die
1200 are seriously injured
Ladders are involved in more falls from height than any other kind of work equipment. Usually the accident could have been avoided and training is a key step in encouraging people to use them safely.
This talk can help but additional training may be required to give a full level of competence. For existing users the talk can be used as a refresher

4. Examples of accidents
A joiner working from a leaning ladder to replace a gutter applied force to the guttering to free it from a bracket, lost his balance and fell 4 m.
He broke a bone in his back resulting in 10 days in hospital and 6 months off work.
He can now only do light work that does not involve heavy lifting.

5. Examples of accidents
A self-employed electrician was working from the second from top rung of a 2 m-high industrial aluminium stepladder.
He was over-reaching while operating a power drill and lost his balance, falling onto the concrete floor.
He fractured his skull and right heel, and was off work for three months.

6. Can I Use a Ladder for Work?
Ladders are not banned under Health and Safety Law
The Law calls for a sensible, proportionate approach to managing risk
Ladders can be a sensible option for low risk short duration tasks, although they may not automatically be your first choice
Following this guidance is normally enough to comply with the Working at Height Regulation 2005 (WAHR). You are free to take other action, except where the guidance says you must do something specific.

7. When is a Ladder the Most Suitable Equipment?
The Law says that a ladder can be used for work at height when a risk assessment has shown that using equipment offering a higher level of protection is not justified because of the low risk and short duration of use; or there are existing workplace features which cannot be altered
Short duration is not a deciding factor in establishing whether use of a ladder is acceptable – you should first consider the risk.
As a guide, if your task would mean being on a ladder from more than 30 minutes at a time, you should consider alternative access methods.

8. Who Can Use a Ladder? To Use a ladder you should: Be competent;
Have had instruction and understand how to use the equipment safely;
Work under the supervision of somebody competent after training. This may take place may take place on the job.

9. This Tool Box Talk The talk is made up of three sections:
Hazards and pre-use checks
Positioning
Safe use of all types of ladders
While we endeavour to give you as much information as possible, you need to keep up to date with legislation on Working at Height and other Health and Safety Legislation, HSE guidance etc..
The talk is divided into 3 sections, which can be given individually or together. Each section lasts approximately 10 –15 minutes (45 minutes for total talk).

10. Hazards and pre-use checks
Section 1
Hazards and pre-use checks

11. Hazards Has anyone here Fallen from a stepladder or a leaning ladder?
Witnessed a colleague have such a fall?
Been made aware of such an incident?
Discuss the circumstances of the accident including what caused the fall and how it could have been avoided.

12. Hazards
What are the reasons people fall from leaning ladders and stepladders?
the leaning ladder slipping either at the top or bottom
the leaning ladder flipping over or coming away at the top
overstretching
a fault with the ladder
slipping or losing your footing
stepladder wobbles due to missing feet or not being correctly open
stepladder being used side-on to the work task
Answers should include:
¡ the leaning ladder slipping either 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.
Some of these will be a result of bad planning or use of the wrong piece of equipment for the job.

13. Hazards
You do not need to fall from a great height to be badly injured
More people get injuries such as broken arms or legs falling less than 2 m from a ladder than falling from above this height

14. Common causes of falls The user over-reaches
YOU CAN HELP PREVENT THIS TYPE OF FALL IF YOU:
Keep your body centred within the ladder
The user over-reaches
Always keep three points of contact with the ladder
Keep the rungs clean and in good condition
The user slips from the ladder
Wear non-slip footwear, if necessary clean the soles before using the ladder
Are fit to work at height
Are trained to use a ladder
Keep three points of contact with the ladder
Make sure the rungs are horizontal
Position the ladder correctly on a firm, level surface
The ladder wobbles, slips and falls
Check the feet of the ladder daily
Fasten the ladder at top and bottom
Rest the ladder on a firm surface at the top
Position the ladder properly, use the 1 in 4 rule for leaning ladders
The ladder breaks
Do not exceed the maximum weight limit on the ladder
Only carry light materials or tools (up to 10kg)

15. Pre-use checks
All the company’s ladders have been individually identified
Don’t use any other ladder, including any brought from home or belonging to other companies
Carry out pre-use checks to spot any obvious visual defects to make sure the ladder is safe to use.
A check should be carried out beforehand, every time you use a ladder
Frequently used ladders only need one such check a day - except for checking the feet when moving from soft/dirty ground to a clean area

16. Pre-use checks Do you know what to look for?
missing, damaged or worn anti-slip feet on metal and fibreglass ladders
items stuck in the feet such as swarf, stones, grease or dirt, preventing the feet from making direct contact with the ground
mud, grease or oil either on the rungs or the stiles (the sides)
cracks in the rungs or stiles of the ladder
missing, broken or weakened rungs
missing or damaged tie rods
check metal ladders for cracked or damaged welds and missing or loose screws or rivets

17. Pre-use checks
If you see any of these do not use the ladder or try and repair it yourself
Remove it from use and report it

18. Pre-use checks Check The Locking Mechanisms
If they are bent or the fixings are worn or damaged the ladder could collapse.
Make sure locking mechanisms are correctly engaged as per the manufacturers instructions
For a stepladder, check the spacer bar is correctly engaged and free from damage.

19. Pre-use checks
It is important to have clear on-site arrangements for storing ladders safely
Discuss and agree what your storage arrangements are - they should meet the manufacturer’s recommendations

20. Section 2
Positioning

21. Positioning all types of ladder
Do not position a ladder:
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
within 6 m of an overhead power line (unless the lines have been temporarily disconnected or insulated)

22. Positioning all ladder types
Check each foot is on a clean, level, firm footing and look out for oil, grease or loose material
Make sure the ladder is at the correct height, never use boxes or bricks etc to gain extra height
Never stack ladders to increase reach

23. Positioning leaning ladders
When erected, the ladder must be at an angle of 75°.
Use the 1 in 4 rule
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
If the top of a ladder is 6 m up a wall how far out from the wall should the base be?
Answer = 1.5m

24. Positioning leaning ladders
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°
The rungs should always look horizontal and appropriate levelling devices may be used
As a guide, only use the ladder;
On firm ground;
On level ground or use an approved and fit for purpose levelling device – do not use ad-hoc packing such as bricks and wood;
On a flat surface free from contaminants, If this is not possible use an approved device to foot the ladder on;
Where they will not be struck by vehicles (protect the area using barriers or cones);
Where they will not be pushed over by other hazards such as doors or windows;
Where the general public are prevented from accessing, walking underneath or at risk from the ladder m(protect with barriers or as a last resort appoint a guard at the base);
Where it has been secured.

25. Positioning leaning ladders
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
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

26. Positioning leaning ladders
Do not place the top of a ladder against a fragile surface such as plastic guttering or glazing
Don’t stand on the top three rungs. Make sure a ladder extends at least 1 m (or three rungs) above where you will be working
If you are using a ladder for access, make sure it rises to at least 1 m (or three rungs) above the landing place

27. Positioning leaning ladders
When positioning a leaning ladder what should you check for?
Firm clean footing
Avoid side and back slope angles
Ladder angle is 75º
Placement of the top of the ladder
The ladder extends 3 rungs above the work area

28. Positioning stepladders
Check all four feet are in contact with the ground
Position stepladders with the rungs facing the work activity

29. Positioning stepladders
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

30. Positioning stepladders
When positioning a stepladder what should you check for?
All four feet are in contact with the ground
Rungs facing the work activity
Stepladder is the correct length
Don't use the top two or three steps

31. Safe use of all types of ladder
Section 3
Safe use of all types of ladder

32. Safe use of all types of ladders
Only use ladders for light-duty, short duration work which has been approved by the responsible person
Do not use a ladder if you have a medical condition, or are taking medication that could affect your safety
Make sure you have the right footwear, i.e clean, in good condition and without dangling laces
When going up or down a ladder, take each rung one at a time and don’t rush. Use both hands to grip the ladder whenever possible
On nearing the bottom, watch where you place your feet. Make sure you do not miss the lower rungs as you step off

33. Safe use of all types of ladder
When working from a ladder, try and maintain three points of contact with it at all times (e.g. both feet and one hand)
Don’t carry heavy or awkward shaped objects on a ladder. Never carry loads heavier than 25 kg - any over 10 kg should be avoided if possible
If you have to carry an item up or down, you must keep one hand free to grip the ladder

34. Safe use of all types of ladder
Do not overreach. Move the ladder so that you can keep your belt buckle (navel) inside the stiles and both feet on the same rung throughout the task
Do not place a foot on another surface, such as a window frame, to extend your reach

35. Safe use of all types of ladder
When working on or close to electrical equipment that is live or may become live, use ladders that will not conduct electricity, such as those with fibreglass stiles
Do not throw things from ladders

36. Safe use of leaning ladders
Wherever possible, tie a ladder to prevent it from slipping
This can either be at the top, the bottom or both, making sure both stiles are tied
Never tie a ladder by its rungs

37. Safe use of leaning ladders
If you can’t tie the ladder use an ‘effective ladder’ or one with an ‘effective ladder-stability device’
If the precautions suggested in this section 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

38. Safe use of leaning ladders
Remember to check that all the basic conditions for safety have been met. This is particularly important if the ladder is not tied
Can you remember what they are?

39. Safe use of stepladders
Make sure the legs are fully open before you go up
When working from a stepladder, always make sure you have an available handhold

40. Safe use of stepladders
Avoid working side-on from a stepladder, especially when applying force, such as when drilling
Where this cannot be avoided, you should prevent the steps from tipping over, for example by tying the steps to a suitable point or using special ladders

41. Safe use of stepladders
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

42. Safe use of all types of ladder
What types of work can a leaning ladder be used for?
What types of work can a stepladder be used for?

43. Condition of the Equipment
Employers need to make sure that any ladder or step ladder is suitable for the work task and in a safe condition before use.
As a guide only use ladders or step ladders that;
Have no visible defect. They should have a pre-use check each working day;
Have an up-to-date record of detailed visual checks regularly carried out by a competent person;
Are suitable for the intended use, ie strong and robust enough. The HSE recommends BS Class 1 ‘Industrial’ or BS EN131 ladders for use at work
Have been maintained in accordance with the manufacturers instructions.

44. Unsafe acts!

45. Unsafe acts!

46. Pino De Rosa on Safety at Bridgeway
“At Bridgeway, safety is an integral part of everything the company does. We take the safety of our employees, others that we work with, and that of the public very seriously. We expect all our employees to work safely and work together to ensure that we all go home safe every day.” Managing Director Bridgeway Consulting Limited

47. Thank you. Any questions?
Bridgeway House Riverside Way Nottingham NG92 1DP United Kingdom
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