T

H NG
G
I I N
I

E
H T R
A

T
A FE T
Y

G
NE R S
A

K I
R ADD
OP L
WT E
S
FALLS FROM HEIGHT-A SERIOUS
PROBLEM
Main cause of workplace fatalities
----- died
---------- serious injuries
-------% falls from below head height

From ladders/stepladders
---- died
-------- serious injuries
References
BEFORE YOU START .
STOP!
1.The task
2.The user

Not every job can be done with just a

stepladder or by you alone.
1. THE TASK
Is a STEPLADDER right for the job?
Plan ahead to what youll have to do
Will you need to:
Move around while youre up there?
Carry lots of materials/handle bulky objects
Use heavy equipment?
Work for more than 30min?
2. THE USER
Are YOU up to the job?
Physically fit enough?
Not much good at heights?!
Dont kid yourself by overestimating your
abilities.
If youre not completely certain that you can
manage everything involved in doing the job
properly, get help.
 WHICH TYPE?
Type Advantages Disadvantages
Aluminium Light Conducts electricity
Strong Conducts heat
Robust May fail suddenly after
Low maintenance Extreme heat exposure
Wood Does not conduct Can dry & split need
electricity when regular maintenance
dry Natural (clear varnish)
insulator against Heavy
heat/cold Can fail suddenly
Fiberglass Does not conduct Heavy
electricity Can crack & fail suddenly
Withstands short if overloaded
exposure to high Chip or crack under
temps severe impact
Can tell if heat
applied
 PARTS OF A STEPLADDER
Before each use check:
Is it sound? Not wobbly, cracked,
handle dented, deformed, split, frayed,
sharp edges?
Is there damage to stiles, rungs,
steps or platform?
platfor
Are all non-slip feet in position?
m
Ladder Is it clean and dry (especially steps
lock
rung & hand holds)
Date of last safety inspection?
stile

Faults found? Dont use!

Non-slip Professionally repair or replace!
feet
IS LADDER SUITABLE FOR USE?
Built to current BS or EN standard?
BS EN 131:1993 applies to wood and metal ladders
(Euro)
BS 1129:1990 wooden ladders (Brit)
BS 2037:1994 metal ladders (Classes 1&3) (Brit)
BS 7377:1994 step stools (Brit)

Correct Class?
Industrial Duty (Class 1)
Trade Duty BS EN 131 (Previously Class 2)
Domestic Duty (Class 3) not suitable for work use!
IS IT STRONG ENOUGH?
New ladders generally marked with the
safe working load :-

EN Maximum Static Vertical Load (weight

of user & additional weight carried e.g.
equipment)
BS Duty Rating (frequency & general
conditions)
 WORKING LOADS
Standard Class Max vertical Duty Rating
static load kg (st)
kg(st)

BS 2037 Class 1 175 (27.5) 130 (20.5)

(metal) BS (industrial)
1129 (wood)
BS 7377 (step Class 3 125 (19.5) 95 (15)
stools) (Domestic)

BS EN 131 (all Old Class 2 150 (23.5) 115 (18)

types) (Trade)
IS IT LONG ENOUGH?
Will you have to over-reach (up, down or sideways)?