1. Session 1 Ladders Health and safety Book Pages 46 - 49
Access to Work
Session 1 Ladders
Health and safety Book
Pages

2. Introduction Access equipment refers to items such as: Ladders
Roof ladders
Trestles, steps
Independent scaffolds
Putlog scaffolds
Tower scaffolds
Also includes working in excavations
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3. Introduction Cont’d Access equipment should be kept in good order
Regularly checked
Checks are recorded
Checks to be made by a competent person
Working at height regulations 2005 apply when using any access equipment.
We are going to begin by looking at a Video ‘Ladder Safety’
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4. Types of Ladders
There are three types of material that ladders are made from:
Wood
Aluminium
Heavy Duty Fibreglass
There are three classes of ladder in use
Class 1 – Industrial (Heavy duty) BS2037 class 1
EN131 – replaced Class 2 (Light trades)
BS2037 Class 3 (Domestic use)
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5. Types of Ladders Pole ladders : used mainly on scaffolds
Wooden extension ladders
Used when working with electricity
Aluminium extension ladders
Used for heavier mobile jobs
Roof ladders
Wooden steps
Aluminium steps
Fibreglass steps
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6. Checking Ladders
These are the things we look for when checking a ladder before use
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7. Faults in ladders
Split Styles
Missing Rungs
Bent Ladders
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8. What should you consider before using a ladder
Is a ladder the most suitable means of access
Does the risk assessment justify using one
Is the ladder suitable for the job
Enough people to handle the ladder
Any damaged or loose parts
Rungs clean and free from mud or grease?
Are both feet on firm and level ground
Is the ladder set at an angle of 750
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9. Is the ladder secured- top or bottom
Does it project at least 1m (5 rungs) above landing place
Have you got enough clear space at each rung for your feet
Are going to overreach
Have you got suitable footwear- so you don’t slip
When lifting tools does it leave your hands free to climb
When working can you still keep 1 hand on the ladder
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10. How to Carry a ladder
Short ladders can be carried by one person on the shoulder in either the horizontal or vertical position
Long ladders should be carried by two people horizontally on the shoulders.
One at either end holding the upper stile
When carry ladders you should take care when rounding corners and when passing between and under obstacles
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11. Stepladders Often used by plumbers
Make sure the ground is level and firm
All four legs should rest firmly and squarely
Top of the steps should not be used unless it is constructed as a working platform
On wooden steps check the hinges and the ropes are of equal length
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12. Faulty Stepladders Missing Rubber Broken/cracked Foot
Stile beyond repair
Bent Stile
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13. Trestles Some jobs cannot be carried out safely by using stepladders
Trestle scaffolds should be used in these circumstances
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14. Trestles Cont’d Setting out: Erect on firm level ground fully opened
Platform must be at least 450mm or two boards wide
Platform should be no more than two thirds of the way up the trestle
The scaffold boards –equal length, not overhang by more than 4 times their own thickness
Maximum span is 1.3m for 40mm board
2.5m for 50mm board
If the platform is more than 2m above ground toe boards and guard rails must be used
Trestles must not be used where anyone can fall from a height of more than 4.5m
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15. And now some examples of working safely at height
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18. And now finally
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19. End of Ladders
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