How often do you need to change your ladder?

Seamus1964

Weird question - I know..I know..

Lad who's daytime job is to install gutters and that sort of stuff told me today that by law ,if you are a professional tradesman, ladder needs to be replaced for a new one every 2 years or so.
And you can not work on ladder (adjusting satellite dish or installing gutter or repairing window) - ladder is only for accessing from one level to another. That's all.

That doesn't make much sense to me.

Is it for real?

Dozer Dave

Seamus1964 wrote: »

Is it for real?

He is raving.

magentis

Cutters eh?

Seamus1964

Gutters

red sean

On most (if not all) building sites, a ladder can be used only for accessing other levels, and definitely not for working on. Even step ladders are banned, they can only be podium ladders if you're going to work on them.
Not sure about dish installation etc. where the work is being carried out on private property.

Seamus1964

Now that makes sense.

What about replacing ladders after 2 years?
What if you bought industrial heavy duty ladder?

red sean

I'm not 100% sure, but some ladders eg. those used by scaffolders are subject to certification. If you could get chatting to a H&S officer on the buildings they'd give the answer.

No mention of having to replace them here:http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Publications_and_Forms/Publications/Construction/Using_Ladders_Safely_-_Information_Sheet.pdf

Calahonda52

re
How often do you need to change your ladder?
as required if in nylons,
but not if
accessing one level from another

Seamus1964

Calahonda52 wrote: »

re
How often do you need to change your ladder?
as required if in nylons,
but not if
accessing one level from another

Real mature with that one
Also very helpful.

Thanks

Tails142

It's not a cut and dry scenario but my take on it would be that installing a satelite dish, a ladder would be ok as the duration is so short and the work may only involve drilling three holes for the fixing bracket.

Placing new guttering on a house though, the work is more involved, longer duration, handling bulky materials, scaffolding or some form of mobile platform would be best and a ladder may not be suitable.

It just comes down to the fact a lot of workplace injuries are falls from heights and ladders play a big part in this so it is trying to manage this risk to limit fatalities/injuries.

hfallada

Seamus1964 wrote: »

Now that makes sense.

What about replacing ladders after 2 years?
What if you bought industrial heavy duty ladder?

My father still uses a heavy duty Aluminium German one he brought 20 years ago daily. It cost him like £600, so it was a quality one and is it still perfect. I cant see the logical in replacing a ladder constantly unless it was a cheap, **** one to start with

red sean

hfallada wrote: »

My father still uses a heavy duty Aluminium German one he brought 20 years ago daily. It cost him like £600, so it was a quality one and is it still perfect. I cant see the logical in replacing a ladder constantly unless it was a cheap, **** one to start with

I agree. But there's a lot of cheap sh*t out there and overzealous h&s inspectors!

Robbie.G

Here's the info
http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Publications_and_Forms/Publications/Construction/Using_Ladders_Safely_-_Information_Sheet.pdf

And here is the regulations

http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Publications_and_Forms/Publications/Retail/Gen_Apps_Work_at_Height.pdf

"Every time you use a ladder you must comply with the Work at Height Regulations:
▲ You must plan and organise the work
▲ You must carry out a Risk Assessment
▲ You must only use a ladder where a risk assessment shows the use of other work equipment is
not practical
▲ You must select and use the most appropriate work equipment
▲ People working at height must be competent
▲ You must ensure that equipment used for work at height is inspected and maintained.
What is a Risk Assessment?
A risk assessment is a careful examination of what could cause harm to people as a result of a work
activity. It allows you to take the necessary precautions to prevent harm occurring.
How do I do a risk assessment?
There are five steps to a risk assessment:
1. Look at the hazards.
2. Decide who might be harmed and how.
3. Evaluate the risks and decide whether the existing precautions are adequate or whether more
should be done.
4. Record your findings.
5. Review your assessment."


This used to be called using your head or exercising common sense. No wonder the country is in a mess.