Ladders

[EdwardCurrent]

Hello All,
Whilst working in a factory (changing lamps,) last week I was told by the site manager that I should not be using a triple extension ladder, it was @10 meters and I had the top of the ladder resting on the pearlings, at the bottom I had 3 bags of cement .
Is this 'safe' working in your opinions please ??
My boss would not be overjoyed if I hired a tower to change a few lamps !
Thanks for any advice.
Ed.

 

[Lectrician]

For the odd one or two, I have done similar.

Hiring a small cherry picker doesn't cost that much these days, and it is usual to change a room full of lamps in one go.

 

[bernardgreen]

Health and Safety Over Kill

January this year staff in a company were sent on a 3 hour training course on how to safely use step ladders in their work place. There hadn't been any ( reported ) incidents in living memory.

By the end of February staff complying with the the new training has reported two accidnts involving step ladders...

Did the course provide better reporting or less safe procedures. ?

The staff are going back the to old procedures.

 

[Belle427]

it would have been better to have somebody holding the bottom for you but sounds ok to me,you get a lot of fuss on sites these days against step ladders and ladders

 

[TicklyT]

One place I was working at this week had a policy of not allowing any ladders or steps on site. I needed to feed an RJ45 lead into a unit at ceiling level, so just out of reach.

The response from the site foreman.... 'Find a chair or something to stand on'

 

[EdwardCurrent]

Hi.
Thanks for your comments.
Having spoken to a friend, he reckons that ladders are to be used for access only, and you must have 3 points of contact with the ladder at all times.
I am generally 'ok' with working off of a ladder, but sometimes I feel that my employer expects us to work off a triple ladder where a tower would make it so much easier when dealing with large light fittings which can be pretty heavy.
Thanks again.
Ed.

 

[bernardgreen]

At least he isn't asking you to work from a ladder held vertically by a couple of strong mates because there is no wall to lean it against. I had photo of my uncle in that position sorting out a rope jammed in a lifting pulley.

Also it was the only way to get my daughters's kite out of a tree.

 

[breezer]

It is true that ladders are only a means of access.

some place will only let you in if you have a fibreglass ladder

 

[Deleted member 54734]

We have to use wooden step ladders in work.
Somebody also said not long ago that due to a new law that we're not allowed to go higher than the first step?

 

[Spark123]

I don't think it is prohibited, it will be however considered to be working at height.
Plenty of information on the subject here: http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/index.htm

My boss would not be overjoyed if I hired a tower to change a few lamps !
Thanks for any advice.
Ed.

Would he be overjoyed if you ended up injured or dead through taking shortcuts though.....

 

[Steve]

I'm going to buy a metal ladder, take it to a site, climb to the top rung with 2 points of contact and shout about stupid laws imposed on people at work.

edited

 

[Spark123]

Why just tradespeople?? It applies to everyone who is at work.

 

[Steve]

i've edited it. lol.

 

[ricicle]

Hiring a small cherry picker doesn't cost that much these days, and it is usual to change a room full of lamps in one go.

You need to have your IPAF license for those though (I've got one )

 

[Tim 77]

Hiring a small cherry picker doesn't cost that much these days, and it is usual to change a room full of lamps in one go.

You need to have your IPAF license for those though (I've got one )

Me too, although that didn't stop a front wheel falling off one day when I was driving through a lorry park!