Ladder Safety - Working at Heights Safely
Due to the increased risks surrounding working at heights, ladders in particular pose an additional hazard in the workplace. Each year in Australia many serious injuries are the result of a fall from a ladder. Employers need to assure that the ladder/s used within their business is appropriate for the task to be undertaken, appropriate for the duration of the task and that it is set up in the correct manner. The employer must ensure that the risk of a fall is assessed and eliminated or reduced as far as practicable.
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Ladder Safety
Before using a ladder both employers and employees should consider a few fundamental safety rules when working at heights. Some questions that should be considered include;
- Can the task be completed using a cherry picker, scissor lift or elevated work platform.
- The items being moved or man handled can be relocated to the ground.
- Can a step ladder be used.
- Is a suitable industrial rated ladder available.
Further to asking yourself some basic ladder safety questions, once you have decided to use a ladder you should then conduct a risk assessment. Areas to think about are;
- Are there electrical wires or other dangerous hazards in the area where the task to be carried out.
- Is the environment safe? Climate elements such as rain and wind can affect ladder safety.
- Is the ground stable and even?
- Is the person using the ladder trained and competent using the ladder.
- Are there tools being used for the job that could exceed the ladder safe load capacity?
- Does the ladder have any defects or damage? (see below)
- Is the ladder large enough to allow the worker to stand on a rung at least 900mm from the top or stand on or below the second tread below the top plate?
- If using a single or extension ladder can it be set up with a slope 4 to 1. That is the distance from the bottom of the ladder to the wall (or shelf etc) is approx 1/4 of the height that the ladder is extended to.
In addition to ladder safety principles and conducting a risk assessment, Seton Australia stock a number of tools and ladder safety devices that can reduce the risk of a fall. These include;
Selecting An Appropriate Ladder
Fiberglass Ladders are recommended and in most cases mandatory when working in an electrical environment. A fiberglass ladder provides isolation between the user and earth, reducing the risk of electrocution.
Aluminium Ladders provide little electrical isolation for users, and are therefore not recommended for use in electrical environments. Aluminium ladders are lighter than fiberglass, and are perfect for use in all non-electrical environments.
Australian Standards
The Australian standards set-out the minimum performance (benchmark) requirements for ladders in Australia and New Zealand. AS/NZS1892.1 relates to Aluminium and metal ladders & AS/NZS1892.3 relates to Fiberglass ladders.
Under the Australian standards ladder manufacturers must specify whether a ladder is Domestic or Industrial rated. Domestic ladders refer to "a ladder designed to be used by a householder for construction, maintenance and repairs carried out at a private dwelling for non-commercial purposes" (AS/NZS1892.1:1996).
Industrial ladders are "any ladder other than a domestic ladder" (AS/NZS1892.1:1996), generally intended for trade and commercial use where strength, durability and dependability are a premium.
Source: www.gorillaladders.com.au. Cited: May 2008.
Ladder Maintenance
Like most working equipment in any workplace. Ladders need to be regularly inspected to make sure that the ladder itself does not pose a risk. Metal or timber stiles that are cracked, warped or bent should be repaired or replaced. Ropes, Braces and Brackets that have rusted, worn or broken should also be replaced. Its important to make Ladder maintenance a part of your safety program. Here at Seton Australia we offer a Scafftag Laddertag & Ladder Safety Management system. These two products allow you to document, manage and tag your ladders with defects, inspection dates or fit to use status states.
