Work Activity:

Use of stepladders

Directorate

Economy & Place

Section:

Port of Sunderland

Date of Assessment:

05/07/21

Date to be Reviewed:

05/07/22

What are the hazards?

Who might be harmed and how?

What precautions or existing control measures are presently taken.

Likelihood

Severity

Risk Rating

L x S

If High or Medium Risk, what addition precautions or control measures need to be taken to reduce risk to as low as reasonably practicable.

Likelihood

Severity

Residual Risk

L x S

Falls from stepladders

Falls from height of people and materials

Operative and people in the vicinity, possibility of personal injury and injury to others

There are some situations where step ladders may be the only practical possibility. Using a step ladder should never be your first option; they remain a viable solution for work at height where alternative forms of access cannot be used. However, if in any doubt contact you supervisor / manager for further advice.

2

3

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What are the hazards?

Who might be harmed and how?

What precautions or existing control measures are presently taken.

Likelihood

Severity

Risk Rating

L x S

If High or Medium Risk, what addition precautions or control measures need to be taken to reduce risk to as low as reasonably practicable.

Likelihood

Severity

Residual Risk

L x S

Work at height to be avoided wherever possible.

Using a step ladder should never be your first option; they remain a viable solution for work at height where alternative forms of access cannot be used. However, if in any doubt contact you supervisor / manager for further advice.

Short duration is not the deciding factor in establishing whether use of a step ladder is acceptable or not – you should have first considered the risk. As a guide, if your task would require using a step ladder for more than 30 minutes at a time, it is recommended that you consider alternative equipment.

Operators must be trained and competent to use any equipment selected for working at heights activities.

Step ladders must be industrial standard (EN131 Industrial or BS1129 Class 1, BS2037 Class 1 or the recently introduced EN131 Professional Standard (minimum capacity 150kg).

All operatives must have received working at heights training and have received specific training in the use of step ladders. Working at heights refresher training to be carried out at a minimum of every 3 years. Pre-use visual inspection must be carried out prior to use each day.

If step ladders are dirty you must clean them prior to inspection to ensure any

What are the hazards?

Who might be harmed and how?

What precautions or existing control measures are presently taken.

Likelihood

Severity

Risk Rating

L x S

If High or Medium Risk, what addition precautions or control measures need to be taken to reduce risk to as low as reasonably practicable.

Likelihood

Severity

Residual Risk

L x S

potential defects are clearly visible. In addition the dirt itself can cause the ladder to slip or you to slip from the ladder.

Step ladders are to be inspected weekly and recorded in ladder register.

Damaged or defective step ladders must not be used and must be taken out of use clearly identified as defective and reported to supervisor / manager.

Over-reaching must be avoided, move the step ladder or select alternative equipment which prevents the need to over-reach.

Use the belt-buckle test to avoid overreaching, if your belt buckle is outside the sides of the step ladder, you’re overreaching.

3 Points of contact must be maintained at all times when using a step ladder. Where two hands need to be free for a brief period for light work. Keep two feet on the same step and the body (knees or chest) supported by the stepladder to maintain three points of contact. Make sure a safe handhold is available.

Never stand and work on the top three steps (including a step forming the very top of the stepladder) unless there is a suitable handhold.

Appropriate footwear to EN ISO 20345, should be worn at all times.

Ensure footwear is free from dirt, mud and

What are the hazards?

Who might be harmed and how?

What precautions or existing control measures are presently taken.

Likelihood

Severity

Risk Rating

L x S

If High or Medium Risk, what addition precautions or control measures need to be taken to reduce risk to as low as reasonably practicable.

Likelihood

Severity

Residual Risk

L x S

grease etc.

Check hinges are secure, no missing or loose screws/bolts.

Never use steps in closed position.

Retaining cords to be of equal length and good condition.

Position the stepladder to face the work activity and not side on.

Avoid work that imposes a side loading, such as side-on drilling, where side-on loadings cannot be avoided, you should prevent the steps from tipping over, e.g. by tying the steps. In these situations preference must be given to selecting a more suitable type of access equipment.

Step ladders must only be erected on level, firm stable ground conditions.

When using access equipment outside consideration must be given to weather conditions e.g. High wind, rain, snow and ice.

Good housekeeping practices must be maintained around the working area at all times.

This Risk Assessment must be read in conjunction with the Working at Heights Risk Assessment – POS 01.