HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

RISK ASSESSMENT – WORKING OFF LADDERS AND STEPS

TASK: WORKING OFF LADDERS AND STEPS

1. ANTICIPATED SITE HAZARDS

EXISTING ENVIRONMENT

Access / Egress Adjacent Areas Adjacent to Water Asbestos Biological Hazards

Confined Spaces Contaminated Ground Laser / RF Fields Means of Escape Needles / Sharps
Occupied Premises Overhead Services Stability of Structure Underground Services
Others (Please State)

CONSTRUCTION PHASE

Access / Egress Adjacent to Water Asbestos Collapse of Excavation Collapse of Structure

Confined Spaces Contact with Services COSHH Dust Extreme Temperature

(Electricity, Gas, Water)

Falling Objects Fire Fragile Materials Manual Handling Noise / Vibration

Site Security Struck by Traffic / Plant Tools and Equipment Trip on Level Vehicles Overturning

Working at Height Others (Please State) General Construction Activities

2. WHO MAY BE HARMED?

Employees (E) Sub-contractors (S) General Public (GP) Official Visitors Others (O)

3. RISK EVALUATION AND CONTROL MEASURES

Significant Health and Safety Risks Risk Control Measures

Work at height risk assessment to be completed

Ladders only to be used for short duration work and where no other
type of platform is suitable (work at height assessment to be carried
out)

Ladders tied (by poles not by rungs) and footed, at correct angle (750).

Operatives trained in ladder use
1 Falling from height High

Do not carry items up a ladder unless in a tool belt / bag.

Three points of contact to be maintained at all times

Do not overstretch from a ladder

Ladders to extend a minimum of 1m above landing platforms

Stepladders to be of suitable height to allow for work to be carried out
safely i.e. users knees must not go above top step
2 Electrocution Medium
Fibreglass ladders only to be used for work near or with live electrics

Head protection issued and used
3 Falling objects Low

Working area segregated from the general public
4 Fragile materials High
Visual inspection of working area prior to using ladders

Ladders checked prior to use

Ladders used right way up
5 Defective equipment Low
Do not paint ladders

Defect reporting system in operation

Do not use damaged ladders
Ladders being struck by
If placing ladders in or close to traffic routes, barriers and warning signs
6 High
vehicles to be suitably placed

Stepladders to be opened up fully and securing arms locked in position
7 Stepladders falling High

Place stepladders so as to avoid any sideways pressure

4. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Safety Helmet Safety Boots Goggle / Visor Overalls Gloves
Hearing Protection Respiratory Protective Equipment

5. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS / INFORMATION

HSE Guidance INDG402: Safe Use of Ladders and Stepladders

HSE Guidance INDG405: Top Tips for Ladders and Stepladders Safety

RISK ASSESSMENT KEY S = Hazard Severity HS6-56 Page 1 of 1

Risk Assessment = S x L 1 = Slight 2 = Serious 3 = Major Risk Assessment Date: January 2011
3 = Likely Medium (3) High (6) High (9) Working off Ladders and Step Ladders
L = likelihood 2 = Possible Low (2) Medium (4) High (6)
1 = Rare Low (1) Low (2) Medium (3)