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Is the ladder or stepladder safe to be used?
Establish the ladder or stepladder is in a safe condition before using it. As a guide, only use ladders or stepladders that:
■ have no visible defects. They should have a pre-use check each working day;
■ have a current detailed visual inspection. These should be done in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Ladders that are part of a scaffold system still have to be inspected every seven days;
■ are suitable for work use. Use Class 12,3 or EN 1314 ladders or stepladders at work because domestic (Class 32,3) ones are not normally suitable for use at work;
■ have been maintained and stored in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
What are pre-use checks and detailed visual inspections?
Both are looking for obvious visual defects, they only differ in detail. Both can be done in-house (pre-use checks should be part of a user’s training). Detailed visual inspections should be recorded. Ladder stability devices and other accessories should be pre-use checked and inspected in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Ladder and stepladder feet must be part of the pre-use check. Ladder feet are essential for preventing the base of the ladder slipping. Missing stepladder feet cause it to wobble. The feet should be:
■ in good repair (not loose, missing, splitting, excessively worn, secure etc); and
■ clean – the feet should be in contact with the ground.
Ladder feet should also be checked when moving from soft/dirty ground (e.g. dug soil, loose sand/stone, a dirty workshop) to a smooth, solid surface (e.g. paving slabs), to ensure the foot material and not the dirt (e.g. soil, embedded stones or swarf ) is making contact with the ground.
Do my ladder-users know how to use them safely?
These are common issues about setting up and using ladders under the direct control of the user. Users should also be aware of the limitations covered in the other headings. People should only use a ladder, stepladder or stability device if:
■ they are competent - users should be trained and instructed to use the equipment safely;
the ladder or stepladder is long enough – for ladders:
- don’t use the top three rungs (see Figure 1);
- ladders used for access should project at least 1 m above the landing point and be tied; alternatively a safe and secure handhold should be available (see Figure 2);
for stepladders:
- don’t use the top two steps of a stepladder, unless a suitable handrail is available on the stepladder (see Figure 3);
- don’t use the top three steps of swing-back or double-sided stepladders, where a step forms the very top of the stepladder (see Figure 4);
■ the ladder or stepladder rungs or steps are level. This can be judged by the naked eye. Ladders can be leveled using specially designed devices but not by using bits of brick or whatever else is at hand;
■ the weather is suitable - do not use them in strong or gusting winds (follow the manufacturer’s safe working practices);
■ they are wearing robust, sensible footwear (e.g. safety shoes/boots or trainers). Shoes should not have the soles hanging off, have long or dangling laces, or be thick with mud or other slippery contaminants;
■ they know how to prevent members of the public and other workers from using them;
■ they are fit - certain medical conditions or medication, alcohol or drug abuse could stop them from using ladders. If you are in any doubt, speak to an occupational health professional;
■ they know how to tie a ladder or stepladder properly.
On a ladder or stepladder, don’t:
- move them while standing on the rungs/steps;
- support them by the rungs or steps at the base;
- slide down the stiles;
■ stand them on moveable objects, such as pallets, bricks, lift trucks, tower scaffolds, excavator buckets, vans, or mobile elevating work platforms;
■ extend a ladder while standing on the rungs. |
Scaffolding feature:
1、Light weight
It is made of light but firm aviation aluminum alloy so it is easy to assembled, move and keep. And its weight is only one third of the traditional one made of steel, which avoids any damage to the floor.
2、Safe and firm structure
It is a safe and firm platform with all joints tightly engaged. With new cold-work technique of in-expand and out-compress, over joint is distributed with 4100- 4400 Kg, much stronger than the permitted one with 2100KG. The load of the 12M Double Deck reaches about 500Kg. Each deck can stand the weight of 272Kg and the complete tower of 900Kg.
3、Easy assembly and dismantlement
It's of "toy bricks" design, with standard parts. No assembling tools should be needed. An aerial platform of 20M will be assembled by two persons within a short time.
4、Easy transit
It has castors so that it can be moved and locked easily and work at different place.
5、High applicability
It is allowed to be erected on escalators and stairways. And the castors prevent any damage on the marble or wood floor and the lawn. And it is designed for use in confined spaces such as narrow alleyways and corridors. And it can be assembled in many ways.
6、Flexible assembly
It can be designed and assembled according to any operation request of any special maintenance in all working sites.
7、Rust-proof、Corrosion- proof、Maintenance-free
All parts of the ladder span are anti-oxygenation, with interlocks made by casting of spray pellet, which provides itself a lifespan of 30 years more. |
