Working at height often requires the use of ladders and step ladders. Make sure you’re using them safely in the workplace by following the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines.
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Familiarising yourself with the relevant health and safety precautions before using a ladder is the most important way to prevent any injuries. What a lot of people might not realise is that the time spent working on a ladder can also impact the overall risk factor of a job; in fact, it can significantly increase the risk of an incident.
Read on to find out the maximum time you should spend on a ladder.
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Ladder inspection checklist
According to HSE (Health and Safety Executive), you must check the following when inspecting a ladder:
- Stiles: Make sure the stiles (also known as the side rails) are not bent or damaged in any way, or else the ladder could collapse beneath you.
- Feet: Check to see if they are missing, worn, or damaged. Make sure the anti-slip surfaces are also undamaged. If so, the ladder could slip as you use it.
- Rungs: Are they bent? Worn? Missing? Loose? If so, you could fall while using the ladder. More...
In most situations, you can use a ladder alone. If you’re at home and a bulb or smoke alarm battery needs changing, you can set up a step ladder or step stool to tackle the job on your own.
But is it really safe to use a ladder alone? Read on to find out more.
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Strength and stability tend to fade as we reach old age, making them even more important in the equipment we use.
So, how can you ensure you’re using the right step ladder?
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