Included in this standard are VFL requirements regarding the selection and use of:

Transcription

1 WORK AT HEIGHT (WAH) LADDERS AND STEP LADDERS MANDATORY STANDARD WHEN PLANNING WAH THE HIERARCHY OF CONTROLS MUST ALWAYS BE APPLIED REFER TO THE WAH PROCESS & WORK EQUIPMENT SELECTION FLOWCHARTS PROVIDED The application of this standard regarding the selection and use of Ladders & Step Ladders on VFL sites is MANDATORY. The selection of ladders & step ladders MUST only be considered where a RISK ASSESSMENT has identified that it is NOT REASONABLE to use equipment that PREVENTS FALLS, preference MUST be given to the use of scaffolding, MEWP s mobile towers etc. Included in this standard are VFL requirements regarding the selection and use of: Ladders as a means of access onto scaffolds, etc. Ladders / step ladders as a place of work LADDERS AS A MEANS OF ACCESS ONTO SCAFFOLDS, ETC Access onto scaffolds is to be selected in accordance with the following hierarchy: 1. Proprietary system scaffold stair towers (see Fig 1) 2. Ladder access bays with single lift ladders (see Fig 3) 3. Ladder access bays with multiple lift ladders 4. Internal ladder access with a proprietary protected ladder trap (see Fig 4) 5. External ladder access using a proprietary self closing safety gate (see Fig 5 & 6) General requirements with regard to these methods of scaffold access are: Refer also to the MANDATORY Standard regarding Tube and Fitting Scaffold All external ladder access points are to be protected by proprietary self closing safety gates All internal ladder access points within working platforms are to be protected by proprietary ladder traps All scaffold gates/traps are to default to the closed position and not be held open Only class 1 ladders which are in sound condition are to be used

2 All ladders to be securely tied by both stiles, inclined at an angle of 1:4 (75 degree) projecting 1 metre minimum above the platform but not excessively and so creating a hazard All ladders to be founded on a firm level base, with access free from trip hazards or materials Where appropriate the base of ladder bays/stair towers are to be secured with Heras fencing or similar and a lockable gate to deter unauthorised access (see Fig 2) Where appropriate first lift ladders are to be removed or have their rungs blocked off to deter unauthorised access (see Fig 7) Stair towers/ladder bays and other ladder access points to be located away from loading bays, hoists, rubbish chutes and vehicle routes. (Should this not be possible, segregate and protect pedestrian approaches to first lift stairs/ladders with clearly visible physical barriers). Stairs/ladders which form part of a scaffold are required to be included in the scaffold handover/inspection regime Where ladders are to be used as a means of access other than onto scaffolds, e.g. into cofferdams, excavations, etc. the principles detailed in this process are to be applied.

3

4

5

6 LADDERS AND STEP LADDERS AS A PLACE OF WORK The selection of a ladder or a step ladder as a place of work MUST be determined by risk assessment which MUST be able to justify why safer alternatives were ruled out. Preference MUST be given to equipment that prevents falls; MEWPS, mobile towers etc. (See Safe Use of Ladders and Step Ladders Checklist attached). Lone working using ladders should where possible be avoided. The use of ladders or step ladders MUST be formally authorised by VF site management and strictly controlled (see the attached Ladder Permit which can be used for this purpose). ALL persons authorised to use ladders and step ladders MUST have been instructed in their safe use (HSE pocket card Top Tips for Ladder & Step Ladder Safety is a useful instruction aide) Only class 1 heavy duty industrial grade ladders and step ladders are to be authorised for use. These are usually indicated by a blue label.

7

8 OPERATION SAFE USE OF LADDERS AND STEP LADDERS CHECKLIST Project: Contract No: Date: Name of Person Undertaking check or safety monitoring: 1. Risk Assessment: Has a RA applying the principles of the work at height hierarchy been undertaken which justifies selection of ladders/stepladders over safer alternatives? 2. Authorisation: Has the use of the ladder/step ladder been authorised by VFL site management (see specimen VFL Use of ladder/step ladder permit)? 3. Selection of ladder/stepladder as a place of work: A ladder or step ladder can only be selected if : Safer alternatives are not viable The work activity is of short duration Three points of contact can be maintained(i.e. 2 feet/1 hand or vice versa The work activity involves light work only 4. Selection of ladder/stepladder: Is the ladder/step ladder suitable for the task? (Class 1 Heavy Duty Industrial Grade of suitable length and in good condition). 5. Competence: Has the operative been trained/instructed in the safe use of the equipment to be used? ACCESS TO SCAFFOLDS 6. Access to scaffolds: - Can a proprietary stair tower be installed? 7. Access to scaffolds: - If it is not possible to install a stair tower has the use of ladder hierarchy been applied? 8. Ladder access to scaffolds: - Is the ladder long enough (1 metre or 5 rungs protruding over scaffold platform) good condition? 9. Ladder access to scaffolds: - Is the ladder at the correct angle of 75 (1 rung out for every 4 rungs up)? 10. Ladder access to scaffolds: - Is the ladder secured by both stiles to stop it from moving? NB: Tying wire or nylon packaging straps are not suitable methods of securing access ladders.