Ladders

As George said, it's the use of appropriate equipment, we regularly use ladders to change bulbs in "3 storey atriums" where it's appropriate, manouvering a battery powered Genie lift into position isn't risk free either. Whilst it's obvious you need training for towers o= or scaffolding you also need it for ladders,
http://www.principalpeople.co.uk/downloads/HSE%20Safe%20Use%20of%20Ladders.pdf
http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/april.htm

Hello

Just risk assess the task in hand and do not forget to enter then ladders on the "ladder register" so they can be examined from time to time for continued service.

Barry

Thanks George for your welcome comments. My aim is to provide training in risk assessments and safe use of ladders, scaffolding and mobile access platforms etc for all our engineers who perform duties on all our sites. We already have the lone working side of things covered and I will certainly download the HSE safe use of ladders.

Stepladders (and other ladders) are only suitable for short duration jobs at relatively low levels, thus changing lightbulbs in normal height rooms is a typical example (but do not try this in a massive three-storey high atrium).

Get the free download leaflet "Safe Use of Ladders and Stepladders -- an Employer's Guide" from the HSE website, and study it, it gives a lot of good advice. Also, do not assume people know how to use ladders safely -- they may think they do, but there are a few basic rules need to be got across. This training is easy to do -- almost as easy as falling off a ladder!

Make sure anything you buy complies with BS 2037 class 1 for regular industrial use, or BS EN 131 for less intensive use. Ladders that comply have to be marked clearly to show this. Do NOT buy DIY type ladders that are only suitable for domestic use.

For more intensive use for longer periods and greater heights scaffold towers or mobile access platforms become appropriate, but they have their own dangers and need properly trained people to use them. So do not fall into the trap of assuming that they are automatically the best thing to use for everything.

As with everything else, assess the jobs that need to be done and the risks they present, and use the most suitable and appropriate tool for the job!

Its not so much as to how high people have to work if using ladders/step ladders but whether this is the most suitable access equipment for the task in hand.

Not sure where you got this 2-3 metres from but its more about risk assessment for the task in hand. I mean if you have to change a lamp in a ceiling that will take only a few minutes it wont be very practicable or cost effective to use scaffolding, on the other hand you would not want to remove heavy ceiling ducting just using a step ladder.

Use the Working at Height Regs 2005 for clarification.

If you are more concerned about the 'lone working' element of your question then perhaps this is the point you need to address first.

Hi

Could somebody assist me with what the regulations are regarding step ladders, as in what height do you have to work at which will constitute using a ladder, i.e replacing a light bulb which you cant reach normally. I have engineers who are lone workers at various sites accross the UK who are using various ways of reaching heights, obviously I would like to end this asap. I think it is either 2 or 3 metres heigh thereafter a lifting aid is required. Any and all help will be appreciated.

This post has been removed because it contravened our guidelines.