Improving the safety of ladder users
Following reports of unsafe ladders, the Ladder Association has published a new safety guide for all users of telescopic ladders.
Following concerning reports of unsafe telescopic ladders, the Ladder Association, a not-for-profit body dedicated to promoting safe ladder use, has published a new guide to help improve the safety of telescopic ladder use amongst the general public and people working in the construction industry.
Concerning findings
Telescopic ladders are a popular piece of equipment for working at height and, when used correctly, can be a safe and effective tool. However, recent enquiries led by Derbyshire County Council’s trading standards team discovered 13 different types of telescopic ladders that failed to meet the EN 131 safety standard.
The council teamed up with the Ladder Association and the Health and Safety Executive to investigate the issue further and carry our product testing, and the results of this further investigation prompted the Ladder Association to develop its new safety guide.
Don Aers, Technical Manager of the Ladder Association, explained
“As a safety-led organisation, we have concerns about the safety of some telescopic ladders, which are cheap imports that claim to comply with the product standard, EN 131, but when tested, fail to do so. They put unsuspecting users at risk who believe they have purchased a safe product.”
“You should check all types of ladder before each use and inspect them thoroughly at regular intervals. Because of these findings, we advise anyone who owns and uses a telescopic ladder to download our safety guide and inspect the ladder thoroughly for any signs of damage or component failure.”
Safety advice
The Ladder Association’s safety guide concentrates on three key elements of ladder use – ‘buying quality’, ‘using safely’ and ‘maintaining properly’.
It recommends that users always source their ladders from a reputable company or specialist supplier, as well as ensuring that products comply with the EN 131-6 safety standard for telescopic ladders. When it comes to usage, workers are urged to thoroughly inspect the ladders before each use and to read the instruction manual to ensure they are using the ladders in a correct and safe manner.
Last, but certainly not least, the guide reinforces the importance of proper maintenance. Telescopic ladders have a lot of moving parts so it’s vital that they are stored safely, kept clean, and that the safety manual and recommendations are followed carefully.
Construction safety measures
While safe ladder use is extremely important, it is just one safety element that needs to be adhered to on any construction job.
Construction is one of the most dangerous occupations in the UK, accounting for more worker deaths than any other industry. With this in mind, it’s easy to see why keeping up with and observing health and safety regulations is so critical.
As well as the guidance issued by the Ladder Association, there are a number of additional measures you can take to help maintain and improve the safety of your construction site. These can include, displaying workplace construction signs to warn of potential hazards, carrying out risk assessments, ensuring workers are adequately trained, and providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to all workers on site.
By following safety guidance, such as that issued by the Ladder Association, and complying with health and safety regulations, you can help to cut the risk of accidents and create a workplace that is healthy, happy and, above all, safe.