Scaling the heights

Installation engineers probably use a ladder every day, several times a day. What kind of risk do you think is being taken each time the ladder is used?

The vast amount of regular ladder users don't even think about the risks, particularly those who have been working off ladders for years. These people fall (sometimes literally!) into two categories:

• "I've been using ladders for years, there's nothing you can tell about using one."
• "My mate fell off his ladder when it slipped down the wall, so I have been meaning to do something to stop it happening to me."

So, in other words, many employers, including many of the large installation companies, don't do enough to protect their workforce from the dangers of ladder accidents. Some scary facts: every year there are around 40,000 hospitalisations from ladder accidents, and there are around 13 fatalities annually from ladder accidents and more than 1200 major injuries due to ladder accidents at work.

Employers have to address the question of ladder safety, not only for the well-being of their staff, but also the well-being of the business.

Consider what happens in the event of an accident. The member of staff may be unable to work for weeks, months or even permanently. Apart from the pain and anguish to the injured party and family, the employer is left a man short, and also may find a very serious civil lawsuit being thrown at him, not to mention any action taken by the Health & Safety Executive.

The majority of these accidents were caused by the ladder slipping down the wall, and nearly all were preventable. All work at height should be properly planned and organised. This means that each time a new job is undertaken, a risk assessment should be carried out. In practice this does not happen. Invariably the ladder is put up against the wall, and up goes the operative.

However there are several very important considerations to make before using the ladder:

• Is the task suitable to be done from a ladder?
• If so, is the ladder suitable, i.e. the right length?
• Is the ground sloping or uneven?
• What should be done to stop it slipping?
• Can the ladder be prevented from slipping, twisting or flipping?

Highly dangerous

I have seen, on numerous occasions, a ladder 'evened up' by slotting an object under the bottom of it. The object can be anything from a piece of wood, to a broken flower pot! These are potentially highly dangerous, as the object can pop out from under the ladder at any moment.

There are some excellent products available to ensure the rungs are even. Most are very simple to use, take just a few seconds to adjust and most importantly, ensure the rungs are level before use.

Some employers claim to send two operatives to a job, so that one "foots" the ladder. Apart from the fact I don't believe any employer would condone such a waste of manpower, "footing" is now considered to be of limited use. In the event of the ladder slipping, the "footer" would find it virtually impossible to hold the ladder, and would be more inclined to jump out of the way!

Again, there are a number of effective ladder stability devices that range from a simple rubber mat, to the Stopper and the Ankalad stabiliser (pictured). Some are more effective than others. You pay your money and take our choice.

The long awaited 'Work at Height' Regulations finally came into force in April, and they are there for your benefit. They can be viewed on the HSE's website, but there is a lot to read, much of which does not apply to the security industry.

Here I have picked out some of the most pertinent points for installers using ladders:

• Every employer shall ensure that a ladder is used for work at height only if a risk assessment under regulation 3 of the Management Regulations has demonstrated that the use of more suitable work equipment is not justified because of the low risk – and the short duration of use; (I am told by the HSE up to 30 minutes is usually acceptable)
• Any surface upon which a ladder rests shall be stable, firm, of sufficient strength and of suitable composition safely to support the ladder so that its rungs or steps remain horizontal, and any loading intended to be placed on it.
• A ladder shall be so positioned as to ensure its stability during use.
• A portable ladder shall be prevented from slipping during use by: (a) securing the stiles at or near their upper or lower ends; (b) an effective anti-slip or other effective stability device; or (c) any other arrangement of equivalent effectiveness.
• A mobile ladder shall be prevented from moving before it is stepped on.
• Every ladder shall be used in such a way that: (a) a secure handhold and secure support are always available to the user; and (b) the user can maintain a safe handhold when carrying a load unless, in the case of a step ladder, the maintenance of a handhold is not practicable when a load is carried, and a risk assessment under regulation 3 of the Management Regulations has demonstrated that the use of a stepladder is justified because of (i) the low risk; and (ii) the short duration of use.

Surprisingly, there is no mention of "three points of contact" for the ladder user in the new Regulations. However I am reliably informed that if the operative needs both hands to work – ie, he needs to release one hand from holding the ladder, by wearing a Ladder Belt to secure him to the ladder – both hands may be used for working. This assumes that the ladder is secured by either tying or a stabiliser. The definition of "ladder" in the Regulations includes stepladders, although they are not specifically mentioned. I am reliably informed that the use of platforms steps or podiums are the preferred type of stepladder, as they have a much larger area to stand on and usually have a guard rail to the front and sides. This type of access equipment should be used for work taking around 30 minutes.

Ladder safety can never be absolute, but taking the measures mentioned above will make their use much safer.

Further information is available from www.laddersafetysupplies.co.uk