indg402 - Safe use of ladders and stepladders: An employers` guide
Contents
1. the height of the task asafe handhold still being available on the stepladder whether it is light work See paragraph 7 whether it avoids side loading see paragraph 9 whether it avoids overreaching See paragraph 8 whether the user s feet are fully supported and whether you can tie the stepladder see paragraph 16 Selecting buying safe ladders and stability devices 11 When buying a new ladder think about the worst type of surface conditions you come across eg smooth wet floor tiles Manufacturers should be able to indicate the types of surfaces their products are intended to be used on when they are unsecured untied Only buy the ladder and associated stability devices that suppliers manufacturers can confirm will be stable enough to be used unsecured in your worse case scenario otherwise you will need to take additional measures to secure it see paragraphs 14 16 Safe use of ladders and stepladders An employers guide 2 of 7 pages Health and Safety Executive 12 HSE and BERR recommend Class 12 Industrial or EN 1314 ladders or stepladders for use at work Make sure the ladder is a suitable size for the work see paragraphs 9 and 22 Leveling device Figure 3 Ladder showing Is it a safe place to use a ladder or stepladder maximum angles at 16 on 13 This covers the specific place where you are going to set up and use it As a a slide slope and 6 ona guide only use a2. Health and Safety Executive Safe use of ladders and stepladders An employers guide Safe use of ladders and stepladders An employers guide ry a This is a web friendly version of leaflet INDG402 Introduction 1 A third of all reported fall from height incidents involve ladders and stepladders on average this accounts for 14 deaths and 1200 major injuries to workers each year Many of these injuries are caused by inappropriate or incorrect use of the equipment This guidance is to help employers know when to use a ladder decide how to go about selecting the right sort of ladder for the particular job understand how to use it know how to look after it and take sensible safety precautions 2 HSE believes that misuse of ladders at work can be partly explained by the way they are used in the home As with all work equipment users need adequate information and training to be able to use ladders and stepladders safely Adequate supervision is needed so that safe practices continue to be used 3 This guidance does not apply to fixed ladders on buildings plant or vehicles other types of fixed access step irons etc specialist rescue ladders used by the fire service roof ladders step stools warehouse steps mobile stairs or temporary or permanent stairs When is a ladder the most suitable access equipment 4 This selection process has to take into account the hierarchy of control
3. dders An employers guide 3 of 7 pages Figure 8 Access ladders should be tied and extend at least 1 m above the landing point to provide a secure handhold Figure 9 Stand off device and working maximum height on a ladder Figure 10 Ladder showing correct 1 in 4 angle means of securing omitted for clarity Safe use of ladders and stepladders An employers guide Health and Safety Executive 15 Ladders used for access to another level should be tied see Figure 8 Stepladders should not be used for access to another level unless they have been designed for this 16 Consider tying a stepladder where possible and advantageous to the task eg side on working or where two free hands are needed 17 You should only use ladders or stepladders E where they will not be struck by vehicles by protecting them with suitable barriers or cones m where they will not be pushed over by other hazards such as doors or windows by securing doors not fire exits and windows where possible If this is impractical have a person standing guard at a doorway or inform workers not to open windows until they are told to do so m where pedestrians are prevented from walking under them or near them by using barriers cones or as a last resort a person standing guard at the base m where ladders can be put up at the correct angle of 75 To judge the angle use the angle indicator marked on the stiles of s
4. ers If you are in any doubt speak to an occupational health professional m they know how to tie a ladder or stepladder properly 23 Ona ladder or stepladder don t move them while standing on the rungs steps support them by the rungs or steps at the base slide down the stiles stand them on moveable objects such as pallets bricks lift trucks tower scaffolds excavator buckets vans or mobile elevating work platforms extend a ladder while standing on the rungs Safe use of ladders and stepladders An employers guide 5 of 7 pages Health and Safety Executive References and further reading References 1 The Work at Height Regulations 2005 as amended A brief guide Leaflet INDG401 rev1 HSE Books 2007 single copy free or priced packs of 10 ISBN 978 O 7176 6231 9 2 BS 1129 1990 Specification for portable timber ladders steps trestles and lightweight stagings British Standards Institution 3 BS 2087 1994 Specification for portable aluminium ladders steps trestles and lightweight stagings British Standards Institution 4 BSEN 181 1 Ladders Terms types functional sizes 2007 and BS EN 131 2 Ladders Specification for requirements testing marking 1993 and BS EN 131 3 Ladders User instructions 2007 and BS EN 131 4 Ladders Single or multiple hinge joint ladders 2007 British Standards Institution 5 Memorandum of guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 Guidance on Regulations HSR25 HSE Bo
5. l inspections 20 Both are looking for obvious visual defects they only differ in detail Both can be done in house pre use checks should be part of a user s training Detailed visual inspections should be recorded Ladder stability devices and other accessories should be pre use checked and inspected in accordance with the 4 of 7 pages Figure 11 Correct two clear rungs Don t work any higher up this type of stepladder Figure 12 Correct three clear steps Don t work any higher up this type of stepladder Health and Safety Executive manufacturer s instructions Ladder and stepladder feet must be part of the pre use check Ladder feet are essential for preventing the base of the ladder slipping Missing stepladder feet cause it to wobble The feet should be m in good repair not loose missing splitting excessively worn secure etc and m clean the feet should be in contact with the ground 21 Ladder feet should also be checked when moving from soft dirty ground eg dug soil loose sand stone a dirty workshop to a smooth solid surface eg paving slabs to ensure the foot material and not the dirt eg soil embedded stones or swarf is making contact with the ground Do my ladder users know how to use them safely 22 These are common issues about setting up and using ladders under the direct control of the user Users should also be aware of the limitations covered in the other headi
6. ladder or stepladder back slope E on firm ground or spread the load eg use a board m on level ground for stepladders refer to the manufacturer s instructions for ladders the maximum safe ground slopes on a suitable surface unless the manufacturer states otherwise are as follows side slope 16 but the rungs still need to be levelled see Figure 3 back slope 6 See Figure 3 on clean solid surfaces paving slabs floors etc These need to be clean no oil moss or leaf litter and free of loose material sand packaging materials etc so the feet can grip Shiny floor surfaces can be slippery even without contamination Figure 4 Ladder tied at top om where it has been secured stiles correct for working on not for access 14 The options for securing a ladder are as follows E tie the ladder to a suitable point making sure both stiles are tied see Figures 4 5 6 and 7 m where this is not practical use a safe unsecured ladder or a ladder supplemented with an effective ladder stability device see paragraph 11 if this is not possible then securely wedge the ladder eg against a wall E if none of the above can be achieved foot the ladder Footing is the last resort and should be avoided where reasonably practicable by the use of other access equipment way down Figure 6 Tying near the base Figure 7 Securing at the base Safe use of ladders and stepla
7. ly Business Park Caerphilly CF83 3GG This leaflet contains notes on good practice which are not compulsory but which you may find helpful in considering what you need to do This leaflet is available in priced packs of 5 from HSE Books ISBN 978 O 7176 6105 3 Single free copies are also available from HSE Books Crown copyright This publication may be freely reproduced except for advertising endorsement or commercial purposes First published 10 05 Please acknowledge the source as HSE Published by the Health and Safety Executive INDG402 7 of 7 pages
8. ngs People should only use a ladder stepladder or stability device if m they are competent users should be trained and instructed to use the equipment safely m the ladder or stepladder is long enough for ladders don t use the top three rungs see Figure 9 ladders used for access should project at least 1 m above the landing point and be tied alternatively a safe and secure handhold should be available see Figure 8 for stepladders don t use the top two steps of a stepladder unless a suitable handrail is available on the stepladder see Figure 11 don t use the top three steps of swing back or double sided stepladders where a step forms the very top of the stepladder see Figure 12 m_ the ladder or stepladder rungs or steps are level This can be judged by the naked eye Ladders can be levelled using specially designed devices but not by using bits of brick or whatever else is at hand m the weather is suitable do not use them in strong or gusting winds follow the manufacturer s safe working practices m they are wearing robust sensible footwear eg safety shoes boots or trainers Shoes should not have the soles hanging off have long or dangling laces or be thick with mud or other slippery contaminants m they know how to prevent members of the public and other workers from using them m they are fit certain medical conditions or medication alcohol or drug abuse could stop them from using ladd
9. oks 2007 ISBN 978 O 7176 6228 9 Further reading A toolbox talk on leaning ladder and stepladder safety Leaflet INDG403 HSE Books 2005 single copy free or priced packs of 5 ISBN 978 O 7176 6106 0 Top tips for ladder and stepladder safety Pocket card INDG405 HSE Books 2005 single copy free or priced packs of 25 ISBN 978 O 7176 6127 5 Evaluating the performance and effectiveness of ladder stability devices RR205 HSE Books 2004 ISBN 978 0 7176 2822 3 Ergonomics evaluation into the safety of stepladders Literature and standards review Phase 1 CRR418 HSE Books 2002 ISBN 978 O 7176 2302 O Ergonomics evaluation into the safety of stepladders User profile and dynamic testing Phase 2 CRR423 HSE Books 2002 ISBN 978 O 7176 2315 O Falls from height webpages on the HSE website www hse gov uk falls index htm Safe use of ladders and stepladders An employers guide 6 of 7 pages Health and Safety Executive Further information HSE priced and free publications are available by mail order from HSE Books PO Box 1999 Sudbury Suffolk CO10 2WA Tel 01787 881165 Fax 01787 3138995 Website www hsebooks co uk HSE priced publications are also available from bookshops and free leaflets can be downloaded from HSE s website www hse gov uk For information about health and safety ring HSE s Infoline Tel 0845 345 0055 Fax 0845 408 9566 Textphone 0845 408 9577 e mail hse infoline natbrit com or write to HSE Information Services Caerphil
10. ome ladders or the 1 in 4 rule 1 unit out for every 4 units up as shown in Figure 10 where the restraint devices on stepladders can be fully opened Any locking devices must also be engaged 18 Ona ladder or stepladder m don t work within 6 m horizontally of any overhead power lines unless the line owner has made them dead or protected with temporary insulation If this is a regular activity find out if the lines can be moved m always use a non conductive ladder or steps for any necessary live electrical work m don t rest ladders against weak upper surfaces eg glazing or plastic gutters Alternatively you can use effective spreader bars or effective stand offs see Figure 9 Is the ladder or stepladder safe to be used 19 Establish the ladder or stepladder is in a safe condition before using it As a guide only use ladders or stepladders that m have no visible defects They should have a pre use check each working day m have a current detailed visual inspection These should be done in accordance with the manufacturer s instructions Ladders that are part of a scaffold system still have to be inspected every seven days mare suitable for work use Use Class 17 or EN 1314 ladders or stepladders at work because domestic Class 37 ones are not normally suitable for use at work m have been maintained and stored in accordance with the manufacturer s instructions What are pre use checks and detailed visua
11. re you can maintain three points of contact hands and feet at the working position On a ladder where you cannot maintain a handhold other than for a brief period of time other measures will be needed to prevent a fall or reduce the consequences of one On stepladders where a handhold is not practicable a risk assessment will have to justify whether it is safe or not see paragraph 10 for details 8 Ona ladder or stepladder do not E overload it the person and anything they are taking up should not exceed the highest load stated on the ladder overreach keep your belt buckle navel inside the stiles and both feet on the same rung throughout the task see Figures 1a and 1b 9 When working on stepladders you should avoid work that imposes a side loading such as side on drilling through solid materials eg bricks or concrete by having the steps facing the work activity see Figures 2a and 2b Where side on loadings cannot be avoided you should prevent the steps from tipping over for example by tying the steps to a suitable point Otherwise a more suitable type of access equipment should be used 10 You should also avoid holding items when climbing for example by using tool belts m ona ladder where you must carry something you must have one free hand to grip the ladder m onastepladder where you cannot maintain a handhold eg putting a box on a shelf the use of a stepladder will have to be justified by taking into account
12. s m firstly to avoid work at height where possible then to prevent falls from height and failing that m to reduce the consequences of a fall 5 Where work at height is necessary you need to justify whether a ladder or stepladder is the most suitable access equipment compared to other access equipment options You do this by using risk assessment and the hierarchy of controls 6 When considering whether it could be appropriate to use a ladder or stepladder you need to consider the following factors 1 of 7 pages Figure 1a Incorrect overreaching and not maintaining three points of contact Figure 1b Correct user maintaining three points of contact x Figure 2a Incorrect steps side on to work activity Figure 2b Correct steps facing work activity Health and Safety Executive Is it a suitable activity 7 This refers to the type of work and its duration As a guide only use a ladder or stepladder m in one position for a maximum of 30 minutes m for light work they are not suitable for strenuous or heavy work If a task involves a worker carrying more than 10 kg a bucket of something up the ladder or steps it will need to be justified by a detailed manual handling assessment m where a handhold is available on the ladder or stepladder m whe
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