Laddersand Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (Mewps)

Appendix 3

Laddersand Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs)

Ladders and stepladders should be regarded primarily as a means of short term access. They are suitable for only short duration (15 – 30 minutes) light work when using other, more stable equipment is not justified. It is generally safer to use a tower scaffold (see Appendix 4), a MEWP, or a platform stepladder with guard rails rather than working from a ladder.

1.Ladders and step ladders

(a)Ladders and step ladders should only be used where

(i)the work can be reached without stretching

(ii)the ladder can be secured to prevent slipping

(iii)a good handhold is available (except in the case of a step ladder and when carrying a load the maintenance of a handhold is not practicable).

Where heavy materials or equipment have to be carried or used then ladders or step ladders are not suitable and tower scaffolds or work platforms should be used instead.

(b)Ladders and steps must be of an appropriate classification, currently Class 1 (blue label), or Class EN131 (green label). Class III (red label) equipment is intended for light domestic use only and is not suitable for use at work. There are a number of standards, which relate to the ladder type e.g. BS 1129:1990 (timber ladders and steps), BS 2037:1994 (metal ladders and steps) and BS EN 131:1993 (timber and metal ladders and steps).

(c)Ladders and steps must be in good condition and should not be painted as the paint may hide faults. Departments must regularly inspect ladders and steps under their control and records of these inspections must be kept. Users should check them before use to ensure that

(i)the stiles are not damaged, buckled or warped

(ii)rungs are not cracked or missing

(iii)safety feet or other safety devices are not missing

(iv)defects are reported to a responsible person and defective or damaged equipment is taken out of use.

(d)Ladders must be correctly angled (65-75 degrees to the horizontal, roughly one out, four up). Where ladders are used as a means of access they should extend approximately one metre above the access platform, unless some other adequate handhold is available.

(e) Ladders must only be used on a firm, level surface and they should rest against a solid surface, not against fragile or other insecure materials such as plastic guttering or asbestos cement sheet. Ladders must be secured from falling: if a ladder cannot be secured by a physical fixture, then a second person must foot the ladder during use.

(f)Ladder stability devices can improve safety if correctly used.

(g)The top platform of a stepladder must not be used unless it is designed with handholds for that purpose.

2.MEWPs

(a)The use of MEWPs on University premises must be the subject of a prior risk assessment.

(b)The operator must be suitably trained and competent.

(c)The platform must be provided with guardrails, toe boards or other suitable barriers to prevent falls.

(d)MEWPs must be in good condition and used on firm and level ground.

(e)MEWPs must be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and thoroughly examined at six monthly intervals by a competent person.

(f)Where MEWPs are hired then the hire company should be asked to confirm that they have been suitably maintained and examined.

(g)Where MEWPS are departmental property, the examination will be carried out by the University’s insurers and the Insurance Section must be informed in writing that this service is required. Records of regular maintenance and thorough examination must be retained.

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SiteName= Health & Safety

Keywords= health, safety, work at height, regulations

Author= 589

ExpiryDate= 30/9/2006

WebPageProcessor= 2057

Publisher= 2057

CopyrightYear = 2005

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