module 5 content

Objectives-

  • Inspection of access equipment
  • Ladders
  • Stepladders
  • Trestles
  • Fixed scaffold
  • Mobile tower scaffolds
  • Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs)

 

Inspection of access equipment

It is good practice and a legal requirement to inspect access equipment regularly.

Access equipment should be inspected:

  • When it is first erected/installed
  • After any substantial alteration
  • After any even that may affect their stability
  • Periodically (weekly)

General points to check when inspecting access equipment include:

  • Conditions of the work platform
  • Edge protection
  • Ground conditions
  • Safe working load

Ladders:

Ladders should only be used for tasks that:

  • Are of short duration (30 minutes or less)
  • Allow the user to have 3 points of contact with the ladder at all times

The main hazards associated with using ladders are:

  • People falling from height
  • Objects falling from height
  • Contact with live overhead lines
  • To avoid these hazards the ladder will need to be positioned in a certain way

To position ladders safely you should ensure that:

The ladder is leaning at a 4:1 ratio (for every 1 unit out there are 4 units up) or at a 75-degree angle. If this cannot be done it may suggest that your ladder is too long or too short for the task.

The ladder rises 1m above the landing place if being used as an access ladder

The stepping off area at the base of the ladder is kept clear.

The ladder should not be positioned:

  • On a moveable object or base
  • Within 6m of an overhead power line
  • Where the ladder could be struck (by moving vehicles or opening doors and windows etc)
  • Where members of the public will be able to walk in close proximity to the ladder.
  • On slopes, especially if the side slope is more than 16degrees or the back slope is more than 6degrees.

However, how you position a ladder alone will not eliminate the risks involved completely, the behaviour of the user also affects the risk of injury.

When using a ladder, you should ensure that:

  • There are 3 points of contact between you and the ladder at all times.
  • You are only carrying light materials and tool in a tool belt
  • You do not overload the ladder
  • You do not over reach, you can make sure of this by ensuring that your belt buckle is in line with the stiles at all times.
  • No one else is also on the ladder with you
  • You do not work off of the top 3 rungs or the 1m extension left as a handhold on an access ladder.

You should ensure your ladder is positioned at what angle? 75 degrees

Ladders used to access another level should extend how far above the landing place? 1m

Step ladders:

Similar to ladders, step ladders are also only suitable for short duration, light work.

The same principles of how NOT to position a ladder also apply to stepladders, however the right way to position step ladders differs slightly.

To position step ladders safely you should ensure that:

  • All 4 feet of the step ladder are in contact with the ground
  • The ground is level, clean and free of grease, oil or loose material.
  • The steps are facing the work activity, not facing side on
  • The stepping off area at the base of the step ladder is kept clear

Again, how you position the stepladder alone will not eliminate the risks involved completely, how you behave on the stepladder is also important.

When using a stepladder, you should ensure that:

  • You are facing the steps of the ladder and are not standing side on.
  • You are trying to avoid holing items which could affect the points of contact you have with the ladder, wearing a tool belt may help with this.
  • You do not stand and work on the top three steps, unless there is a suitable handhold.
  • You do not use two handed equipment whilst on the ladder unless there are 3 points of contact elsewhere.
  • You are wearing suitable footwear with good grip

The locking devices are in place and the step ladder is fully open

Before using any ladder or stepladder you must carry out a pre-use check. This will involve looking for any obvious visual defects.

The checks should be performed at the beginning of every working day and after anything has changed regarding the ladder or stepladder.

To ensure stability, you should always position the stepladder so that the steps are facing the work activity. True

Trestles:

A trestle is a frame usually made of aluminium or steel that is used in conjunction with boards to provide a working platform.

Trestles will need to be fitted with toe boards and handrails. If these are not fitted, a risk assessment would need to show that installing a guardrail had been considered and the reasons why it was not considered necessary.

Trestles should be

  • Erected on firm, level ground
  • Kept clean and tidy
  • Free from trip hazards and gaps where people or materials may fall
  • Large enough to allow safe passage of people and safe usage of equipment
  • Not loaded in a way that could result in collapse or deformation that could affect its safe use.
  • Accessed by a tied ladder

Fixed scaffolds

An independent tied scaffold is designed to carry its own weight and the full load of all materials and workers on the platform.

It must be tied to the building where it is sited, to give stability and prevent movement.

Scaffolds should be erected by trained workers and inspected by a competent person.

Fixed scaffolds:

The total weight of the structure is supported by the ground; therefore, it is very important that the ground conditions are suitable to cope with the load.

Base plates and sole boards may be used to spread this weight over a large surface area.

The main hazards associated with the use of scaffolds include:

  • Falls from the work platforms
  • Objects falling from the platform
  • Collapse of the structure

Factors that may result in the collapse of an independent tied scaffold include:

  • An overloaded work platform
  • Scaffolds being built on soft ground without the use of adequate sole boards
  • Scaffolds not being tied adequately
  • Insufficient bracing
  • Bent, buckled or heavily corroded standards (vertical tubes)
  • High winds
  • Faulty couplers joining tubes
  • The scaffold is struck by mobile plant
  • The scaffold is not inspected prior to use
  • The scaffold is erected by an incompetent worker

You need to stack materials on a working platform. What is the best way to stop them falling over the toe board?

Fit brick guards or netting to the edge

Mobile tower Scaffolds

Mobile tower scaffolds are light duty scaffolds that should be restricted to light work only.

They can be constructed using normal scaffold tubing, but are usually pre-made structures.

The structure is usually mounted on wheels for mobility and contains a working platform at the top, accessible by an internally fitted ladder.

Mobile tower scaffolds are inherently unstable, so must not exceed the maximum height defined by the manufacturer.

As a rule of thumb, the maximum base: height ratio is typically 1:3:5 (meaning if the base dimension is 1m the height may not exceed 3.5m)

But this is not always the case and the base: height ration is specific to each tower. So, the manufacturer’s instructions must be kept with the tower and must be followed.

The main hazards associated with the use of mobile tower scaffolds include:

  • Falls from the work platforms
  • Objects falling from the platform
  • Collapse of the structure
  • Overturn (toppling) of the structure
  • Unintended movement of the wheels
  • Contact with live overheads

Before using a mobile tower scaffold, you must ensure:

  • The tower is vertical and square
  • If necessary, outriggers are used to ensure stability, these will need to be set correctly and if possible, secured.
  • The platform is fully boarded and guard rails and toe boards are fitted.
  • You are aware of the weather conditions, high winds may blow the tower over
  • The tower is sited on firm ground.

Whilst using the tower scaffold you must ensure:

  • The tower is not overloaded (do not exceed the manufacturers safe working load)
  • The wheels are locked
  • Workers and materials are not left on the tower when being moved
  • Live overheads are avoided when the tower is sited or moved
  • That people do not climb up the outside of the tower
  • The access hatch is closed
  • That you never use ladders or other forms of access equipment to get added height on the work platform.

A mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) is a mobile machine which consists of a work platform with controls and a powered extending arm supporting a work cradle.

The main hazards associated with the use of MEWPs include:

  • Falls from the work platform
  • Objects falling from the platforms
  • Collapse of the MEWP
  • Overturn (toppling#0 of the MEWP
  • Contact with live overheads
  • Entrapment between the MEWP and any nearby structure/ obstruction
  • Unauthorised use

Mobile elevating work platforms

 

To reduce the risks of these common hazards occurring the following safety precautions should be implemented:

  • The vehicle should be sited on firm level ground
  • There should be sufficient clearance between the MEWP and overheads when operating
  • Barriers should be installed around the MEWP
  • Guardrails should be added to the cradle
  • The controls of the MEWP should be installed in the cradle
  • Unless specifically designed to do so, the cradle should not be raised whilst being driven.
  • Workers must never get out of a MEWP or cradle while it is elevated.
  • Only competent trained workers should use MEWPs

How will you know the maximum weight or number of people that can be lifted safely on a MEWP?

It will be on an information plate fixed to the machine.

You need to use a mobile tower scaffold; the wheel brakes do not work. What should you do?

Do not use the tower

Further Information

HSE’s website provides more advice, guidance and answers to frequently asked questions. Industries and trade associations have produced guidance about working at height for specific jobs or for using certain types of access equipment.

Find out more at www.hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/index.htm

You can access the Work at height Access equipment Information Toolkit (WAIT) at www.hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/wait/index.htm

Using ladders and stepladders safely: A brief guide Leaflet INDG455 HSE Books 2014 www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg455.htm

Health and safety in roof work HSG33 (Fourth edition) HSE Books 2012

ISBN 978 0 7176 6527 3 www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg33.htm

Further guidance on risk assessment can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/risk

Further information about CDM and design requirements can be found at

www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm.htm

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 SI 2005/735 The Stationery Office 2005

www.legislation.gov.uk

Fragile roofs: Safe working practices General Information Sheet GEIS5 HSE Books

2012 www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/geis5.htm