6.4 Working At Height - Use Of Ladders, Scaffolding Etc On University Premises.

The University has a legal duty to take suitable and effective measures, so far as is reasonably practicable, to protect employees from falling from heights and from being struck by falling objects, both of which can cause serious or fatal injury.

Before work at height starts a risk assessment must be completed. Work should only be carried out at height where it is reasonably practicable not to work otherwise than at a height. The risk assessment must be in writing for all work where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury. When such a risk applies, work equipment and measures need to be used, foremost to prevent falls and, secondly, to minimise the distance and consequence of a fall.

• All persons working at height need to be suitably trained and instructed to undertake such work
• All work at height must take account of weather conditions
• The risk from falling objects must be properly controlled
• All places for working at height must be stable, secured and supported on a suitably solid surface. Working on fragile surfaces must be properly controlled
• Equipment for work at height must be appropriately selected, inspected and maintained

The HSE accident figures show that falls from height are the most common kind of accident resulting in fatal injuries and the second most common cause of major injury at work. There is a HSE Falls from Height website that provides information on ladders and stepladder safety.

Ladders.

Ladders should be limited to short term working, otherwise work platforms, such as scaffolding, tower scaffolds or mobile elevating work platforms, are more appropriate for safe working at height.

Ladders use is only permitted when the ladder is used for short duration and the ladder is:

• In good condition and checked to be in sound condition by the user before use;
• Constructed to the relevant British Standard (Class 1 "heavy duty BS1129 & BS 2037: class 2 lighter load BS EN 131) - (Domestic ladders may only be used in exceptional circumstances where the combined weight of the person and materials in all situations will be less than the domestic ladders rating and its use is infrequent, eg. monthly or less. This use must be justified by a risk assessment.)
• Fixed to prevent slipping;
• Placed on firm level surface with the top part of the ladder resting against a solid surface (not fragile/insecure materials such as plastic guttering or cement sheet)
• The ladder is correctly angled (at 75 degrees to the horizontal /one out for every four up);
• Positioned such that working on it does not require stretching out;
• Positioned so that a good handhold is available if used for access or must protrude sufficiently above a working platform that is to be accessed.

All ladders including steps need to have a Ladder tag (obtained from SHE office) that identifies:

• Location for use
• Unique Reference Number
• Ladder Class*
• Duty/ Use
• Risk Assessed Inspection Period
• Date of Next Inspection
• Signature of Inspection

See the BSU Ladder Register

*Ladder Class.

The safe working load for a ladder is expressed in different ways.

British Standards uses "duty rating", which takes account of the general condition and probable frequency of use.

European Standards uses "maximum static vertical load."

1. Industrial Duty (Class 1). Duty rating 130kg (20 stone) = maximum vertical static load, 175kg
2. Trade Duty (formerly Class 2, now BSEN 131.) Duty rating 115kg (18 stone) = maximum vertical static load 150kg
3. Domestic (Class 3). Duty rating 95kg (15 stone) = maximum vertical static load 125kg.

 Ladders must be thoroughly inspected on an annual basis, by a person who is qualified to judge the suitability/safe condition of the equipment. A record of such inspections must be recorded by the "owning" department, signed by the inspecting officer and the next inspection date noted. If a ladder fails an inspection it must be withdrawn from service and labelled "Do not use this ladder".

When extension ladders are used the overlap of any adjacent sections should be as follows:

Closed length.

• Less than 5 metres -1.5 rungs overlap
• 5-6 metre -2.5 rungs overlap
• Over 6 metres - 3.5 rungs overlap

Extension ladders are to be extended on the ground, than positioned before climbing it, unless it is a rope operated ladder Long ladders need two people to erect it and unless firmly secures, when in use.

Pre use checks.

• Look for any wear, decay, dents, cracks, splits or warping
• Look for any loose or missing rungs
• Ends of stiles to be sound and in good condition
• Metal tie rods to be in place under rungs on wooden ladders
• Ropes must not be frayed or in any way unsound
• Ladders must be clean, free of all oil, grease, dirt and any other contaminant
• Wooden ladders should not be painted - defects may be hidden
• All anti-slip feet to be in place and worn components to be in replaced.

  In Use Checks.

• Ladder to be on a sound base
• Ladder to be at an angle of 75 degrees, ratio of 1 out to 4 vertical
• Use ladders for light duty, short duration work
• Maintain 3 points of contact with the ladder at all times
• DO NOT OVER REACH  - move the ladder
• The ladder should be tied to prevent it slipping
• If it is impossible to secure the ladder, get a second person to foot the ladder
• Do not carry any material or equipment when climbing a ladder. Provision must be made for materials and/or equipment to be carried in a tool belt or shoulder bag or use a hoist line.

Stepladders.

Stepladders and trestles must not be used as a workplace above two metres in height.

Stepladders should be used for short duration work / maximum 30 minutes.

Step ladders top platform must not be used unless suitably equipped with handholds.

Step ladders must be fully open before use with the legs fully apart to the length of the tie-cord or to accommodate the top platform.

Pre use check for stepladders.

When using stepladder, the rungs must face the work activity - do not work side on

Stepladders must be on a firm, level surface.

Working Platforms.

Working platforms must be erected, used and dismantled under competent supervision, provided with sufficient edge protection and maintained in good condition. The platform work surface needs to have no gaps through which any item could fall and injure a person, unless this is prevented by other measures.

Any platform used for (or access to) construction work and from which a person could fall more than 2 metres must be inspected before use (and not more than 7 days before use). For mobile platforms, inspection at the site is sufficient without re-inspection every time it is moved.

Scaffolding.

Scaffolding must be erected by competent contractors as specified by the Property Services department and furnished with guard rails and toe boards. The scaffolding must be inspected by a competent person:

• Before first used after erection;
• At seven days intervals until it is dismantled;
• After severe weather e.g. high winds or other conditions that could adversely affect its stability;
• After any changes to the scaffolding.

The competent person must prepare a report as specified in the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996 within twenty four hours of the inspection. A copy must be kept on site and a second copy held for at least three months in Property Services.

A competent person should provide written evidence that he/she has a CITB Advanced Scaffolding Inspection Certificate or equivalent.

Scaffolding may only be used if it passes the relevant safety inspection. If scaffolding fails an inspection, Property Services must be informed directly. The necessary remedial work must be completed by the scaffolding contractor before the scaffolding can be used for work.

Equipment and material storage should be kept to the minimum.

Barriers, not tape, must be in place to prevent persons from getting under or close to scaffolding as well as preventing objects from falling from the scaffolding platform to the ground.

All ground level scaffolding poles which are accessible to people must be wrapped with striped marking tape.

All ladders at ground level should be removed when the scaffolding is unattended.

Tower Scaffolds.

The requirements specified for scaffolding generally apply to tower scaffolds. Competent persons must be used to erect and inspect the structure. The competent person must have received training within the previous five years.

Towers should rest on firm level ground with wheels or feet properly supported and locked.

When towers are erected outside, the height of the working platform should not exceed 3 times the minimum base dimension. Whereas for towers within buildings the ratio may be extended to 3.5.

If the tower remains unattended, unauthorised access must be prevented by removing or boarding over the access ladder.

Employee Duties.

It is the duty of every employee whilst at work to take reasonable care of themselves and of other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.

Therefore, no employee should under any circumstances climb to a height at which the equipment onto which they are working is insecure.

This must be brought to the attention of all members of the staff, particularly domestic and maintenance staff, by their manager. Arrangements and instructions for staff on the use of ladders/steps/scaffolding, must be adhered to at all times and by all users.

References.

• Work at Height Regulations 2005;
• Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996;
• Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992;
• Management of Health and Safety Section 7 HASWA 1974.

January 2008