Ashvale Ladder - Qualitative Risk Assessment Ref: - LRA/14 Brian Urquhart

Ashvale Ladder - Qualitative Risk Assessment Date of Assessment: 30/09/2014 Assessed By: BRIAN URQUHART Review Date: Annually (Risk Assessments to be reviewed annually or when changes to equipment or procedures.) Signature:

Task/ Hazard People at Risk Safety Risk Safe Systems of Work/Control Measures Future Actions Risk

controlled?

A = Adequately Controlled N = Not Adequately Controlled U = Unable to decide further information required Page 2 of 9

Use of ladders

Ladder user Person securing ladder Any persons in the vicinity

1. Falls - sprains, fractures, broken bones, head injuries.

2. Falling objects 3. Person falling

on to another person

• Prior to commencing any work ensure ladder is in good state of repair. ( see checklist attached)

• Due to the short duration of use ladders may be used for replacing light bulbs.

• Ensure ladder is fit for the purpose, e.g. correct type of ladder for this task.

• Management must ensure ladders are maintained in good repair, e.g. rubber feet are in good condition.

• Employees must make a visual check of the ladder prior to undertaking any task.

• Any defects must be reported to the Operations Director and the Maintenance Department.

• Ensure the ladder is placed on an even surface. • Changing light bulbs or fluorescent tubes around the frying

range area and cooking equipment must be undertaken prior to the commencement of service and all pans and food stuffs must be covered and protected.

• Any surface upon which a ladder rests shall be stable, firm, of sufficient strength and of suitable composition safely to support the ladder so that its rungs or steps remain horizontal, and any loading intended to be placed on it.

• A ladder shall be so positioned as to ensure its stability during use.

• A suspended ladder shall be attached in a secure manner and so that it cannot be displaced and swinging is prevented.

• A ladder shall be prevented from slipping during use by an anti-slip device. A ladder used for access shall be long enough to protrude sufficiently above the place of landing to which it provides access, unless other measures have been taken to ensure a firm handhold.

• No interlocking or extension ladder shall be used unless its sections are prevented from moving relative to each other

A

Ashvale Ladder - Qualitative Risk Assessment Date of Assessment: 30/09/2014 Assessed By: BRIAN URQUHART Review Date: Annually (Risk Assessments to be reviewed annually or when changes to equipment or procedures.) Signature:

Task/ Hazard People at Risk Safety Risk Safe Systems of Work/Control Measures Future Actions Risk

controlled?

A = Adequately Controlled N = Not Adequately Controlled U = Unable to decide further information required Page 3 of 9

while in use. • Every ladder shall be used in such a way that a secure

handhold and secure support are always available to the user and the user can maintain a safe handhold when carrying a load unless in the case of a step ladder, the maintenance of a handhold is not practicable when a load is carried.

A

Set-up for leaning ladders

• Do a daily pre-use check (include ladder feet) • Secure it • Ground should be firm and level, the maximum safe ground

side slope 16o (level the rungs with a suitable device) • Maximum safe ground back slope 6o • Have a strong upper resting point (not plastic guttering) • Floors should be clean, not slippery

Leaning ladders in-use

• In the case of a step ladder, the maintenance of a handhold is not practicable when a load is carried; the use of a stepladder is justified only if in use for short period and carrying out a low risk activity

• Short duration work maximum 30 minutes • Light work (up to 10 kg) • Ladder angle 75o – 1 in 4 rule (1 unit out for every 4 units up) • Always grip the ladder when climbing • Do not overreach - make sure your belt buckle (navel) stays

within the stiles and keep both feet on the same rung or step throughout the task.

• Do not work off the top three rungs as these provide a handhold

Ashvale Ladder - Qualitative Risk Assessment Date of Assessment: 30/09/2014 Assessed By: BRIAN URQUHART Review Date: Annually (Risk Assessments to be reviewed annually or when changes to equipment or procedures.) Signature:

Task/ Hazard People at Risk Safety Risk Safe Systems of Work/Control Measures Future Actions Risk

controlled?

A = Adequately Controlled N = Not Adequately Controlled U = Unable to decide further information required Page 4 of 9

Set-up for stepladders

• Daily pre-use check (feet included) • Ensure there is space to fully open • Use any locking devices • Ground should be firm and level • Floors should be clean, not slippery

Stepladders in-use

• Short duration work (maximum 30 minutes) • Light work (up to 10 kg) • Do not work off the top three steps for swing-back/double-

sided stepladders unless you have a safe handhold on the steps • Avoid side-on working. • Do not overreach – make sure your belt buckle (navel) stays

within the stiles and keep both feet on the same rung or step throughout the task.

Falls from height Ladders – pre-use checks - things to look for

It is good practice to check your ladder before you use it. A list of checks is outlined in the following pages. If your ladder is not up to scratch you could fall from it. You don’t have to fall far to land hard.

In 2007 to 2008 nearly 100 workers a month suffered broken bones or head injuries following a fall from a ladder. Most of them didn’t fall very far, below head height. Take a moment to check your ladder, not your fall.

If your ladder is not up to scratch tell your manager or supervisor straight away - Do not use your ladder.

Ashvale Ladder - Qualitative Risk Assessment Date of Assessment: 30/09/2014 Assessed By: BRIAN URQUHART Review Date: Annually (Risk Assessments to be reviewed annually or when changes to equipment or procedures.) Signature:

Task/ Hazard People at Risk Safety Risk Safe Systems of Work/Control Measures Future Actions Risk

controlled?

A = Adequately Controlled N = Not Adequately Controlled U = Unable to decide further information required Page 5 of 9

Check the stiles Stiles need to be in good condition

Do not use the ladder if they are bent or split - the ladder could collapse.

1. Leaning ladders

Check the stiles Do not use the ladder if they are bent or damaged

- the ladder could buckle or collapse.

1. Leaning Ladders pre-use checks - things to look for

Ashvale Ladder - Qualitative Risk Assessment Date of Assessment: 30/09/2014 Assessed By: BRIAN URQUHART Review Date: Annually (Risk Assessments to be reviewed annually or when changes to equipment or procedures.) Signature:

Task/ Hazard People at Risk Safety Risk Safe Systems of Work/Control Measures Future Actions Risk

controlled?

A = Adequately Controlled N = Not Adequately Controlled U = Unable to decide further information required Page 6 of 9

Check the feet Do not use the ladder if they are missing or worn

or damaged - the ladder could slip.

Check the rungs Do not use the ladder if they are bent, missing or

loose - the ladder could become unstable.

Ashvale Ladder - Qualitative Risk Assessment Date of Assessment: 30/09/2014 Assessed By: BRIAN URQUHART Review Date: Annually (Risk Assessments to be reviewed annually or when changes to equipment or procedures.) Signature:

Task/ Hazard People at Risk Safety Risk Safe Systems of Work/Control Measures Future Actions Risk

controlled?

A = Adequately Controlled N = Not Adequately Controlled U = Unable to decide further information required Page 7 of 9

Check the locking bars Do not use the ladder if they are bent or the

fixings are worn or damaged - the ladder could collapse.

Check the feet Do not use the ladder if they are missing or worn

or damaged - the ladder could slip.

2. Step ladders pre-use checks - things to look for

Ashvale Ladder - Qualitative Risk Assessment Date of Assessment: 30/09/2014 Assessed By: BRIAN URQUHART Review Date: Annually (Risk Assessments to be reviewed annually or when changes to equipment or procedures.) Signature:

Task/ Hazard People at Risk Safety Risk Safe Systems of Work/Control Measures Future Actions Risk

controlled?

A = Adequately Controlled N = Not Adequately Controlled U = Unable to decide further information required Page 8 of 9

Check the steps Do not use the ladder if the fixings are loose - they

could collapse.

Check the steps or treads

Do not use the ladder if they are contaminated -you must clean them first - they could be slippery.

Ashvale Ladder - Qualitative Risk Assessment Date of Assessment: 30/09/2014 Assessed By: BRIAN URQUHART Review Date: Annually (Risk Assessments to be reviewed annually or when changes to equipment or procedures.) Signature:

Task/ Hazard People at Risk Safety Risk Safe Systems of Work/Control Measures Future Actions Risk

controlled?

A = Adequately Controlled N = Not Adequately Controlled U = Unable to decide further information required Page 9 of 9

Check the stiles Do not use the ladder if they are bent or damaged

- the ladder could buckle or collapse.