Main causes of accidents include:- ladders slipping; erection at the wrong angle; over-reaching/over-balancing; slippery rungs; overloading; ladders resting against fragile or moveable structures; materials falling; incorrect (short) size; use in adverse weather; contact with live electrical conductors; lack of use of crawling boards; defective condition of ladder.
PRECAUTIONS
A safe systems of work can generally be achieved by management planning before work starts and by controlling the way work is carried out. Specifically this could entail the following:-
(1) Consider alternatives i.e. can the job be done more safely in a different way e.g. a temporary working platform or stage is inherently a much safer means of access.
(2) Examine the circumstances of intended use e.g. can the ladder be secured; site conditions; suitability of the ladder (length, type, location etc.) and nature of the structure against which the ladder is to rest.
(3) Ensure safe practices - There is extensive published guidance on the safe use of ladders (see References/Further Details section). A prime safety consideration is for the ladder to be secured (at top and bottom where practicable) so as to prevent slippage. Footing a ladder is only considered to be effective for ladders of not more than 6 metres in overall length. A number of proprietary securing devices are available from ladder suppliers. Further considerations include:
* ladders to extend at least 1.05m above the landing place or the highest rung on which the user has to stand (unless handhold available)
* angle of erection to be about 1 unit out for every 4 units in height
* minimum recommendations of overlap for extension ladders to be observed
* for step ladders - side leaning to be avoided and to be placed at right angles to the work whenever possible.
* for roof ladders - proper securing (not to guttering); proper positioning of the ridge hook or iron and securing to the access ladder to prevent movement
(4) Provide comprehensive and comprehensible information, instruction and training regarding safe working methods when using, raising, carrying and storing ladders.
(5) Establish a system of maintenance. This should include user checks and periodic examinations by a competent person. A register of ladders should make the control of a maintenance programme easier. Defective ladders should be removed from service immediately, labelled and either repaired or replaced. You may wish to issue checklists to users, supervisors, ladder checkers to supplement training.
