Ladders

[David Glen]

It’s all here:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20050735.htm

and here:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/fallindx.htm

[Russell Spencer]

There is no specific limit to when or how high, the only criteria is when it is safe and reasonably practicable to do so.

If you are fitting one small sign 2′ x 2′ about 12′ up, use a ladder so long as it is safe and erected correctly and you have done a risk assesment (you have, haven’t you ?)
If there are 15 signs around the building it would be deemed ‘reasonably practicable’ and safer to erect a tower.
Cost is not a governing factor in relation to health and safety, if you explain all this to your customer he will not have a problem paying the additional cost.
I have only had one customer in the past 8 years complain about additional installation costs on the grounds of health and safety.

The only situations where problems occur is if the company you are doing the work for do not allow ladders, in which case they will not have an issue about you billing them for scaffolding, but you will probably find you have to be PASMA qualified to erect a tower on their site. Its only a one day course about £120-£150 and you get an ID card.

[Tim Painter]

Off at a slight tangent……was a big debate on the radio about ladders the other day as windows cleaners could be forced back to them when water shortage rules are imposed. What will the HSE do then.

[Nik_W]

I recently complete a risk assessment course and we were shown photographs of what not to do. A lot of these revolved around the use of ladders. It was certainly an eye opener. The local H&S Inspector does keep an eye on things and advises people how to use them correctly. It’s not just your own safety you have to consider, but also members of the public, your own employees, etc. That’s why it’s important to assess the level of risk beforehand. It’s all about common sense. If the ladder looks a bit knackered, don’t use it. If the height is a tad too high for a ladder do not use it, use a scaffold tower instead. Personally, I’ll only use a ladder up to the height of a normal upstairs window on a house. But if I need to work over 2ft either side then I would find other means such as a tower.

[Warren Beard]

Why do they make ladders that extend higher than is safe then? I suppose the same reason why they make cars that can go faster than 70mph 😕