New Zealand Stepladder safety

[Toby Kuhnert]

Just thought i'd share something that maybe all of us should probably think on from time to time... was just talking to a good mate of mine who works in the industry, he was on some steps at work last week, leant across on them a bit too far to reach, he ended up severely breaking his back.. he was in hospital for a week before coming home today and being placed on a bed rest where he's gonna be for quite a while..I really hope he will recover enough so he can get back to work fully... it just really made me think about my own ladder/step safety when i'm at work, not gonna lie I have taken what seemed like small risks in the past (leaning way over the edge to reach something, when I should have just got down, moved the ladder and continued working) but have gotten away with it. Maybe sometimes we can all get too complacent with steps and take shortcuts to save on a few seconds..? Just a thought guys... have a good day

 

[telectrix]

bloody 'ell, mate. i've had 5 and i hardly drink.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Nuff said...

 

[telectrix]

the real test comes when they move the truck et al to the next light.

 

[Darkwood]

bloody 'ell, mate. i've had 5 and i hardly drink.

lol never said i was drunk just tired a few beers and its midnight so couldn't throw anything more constructive in the pot...... i try better tomoz honest!

 

[Knobhead]

Severely broken back?

Is it possible have a minor broken back?

 

[Darkwood]

You taken a happy pill Tony thats twice you been humorous lol albeit sarcastic lol

 

[Knobhead]

I take my happy pills in a morning, they don’t work!

High as a kite on painkillers now.

Cheers DW, just realised I’ve not taken one lot, back in a bit.

 

[Toby Kuhnert]

Severely broken back?

Is it possible have a minor broken back?

good point!!

 

[gutterball]

3 points of contact - does that mean you can have one leg of the steps floating in mid air. :tounge_smile:

 

[Rampantchilli]

Severely broken back?

Is it possible have a minor broken back?

yes it is, a girl in my office broke her back riding a horse, well falling off it, she came to work 2 days later, but couldn't sit for more than 5 min at a time coz of the pain

 

[SirusDvirus]

Got it at work here. All our ladders/steps are Scafftagg Ladder register and are checked monthly plus RA and ladder training but now the in house HSE bloke says we gotta bin all the steps and replace them with handrail types plus we have a genie MEWP for any high works.

 

[Outspoken]

Fall restraints count as a point of contact.

What a ridiculous comment, using fall restraint on steps is as pointless and pouring water into a bottomless bucket.

Steps should only be used for short duration work and you should have steps that are fit for purpose, on a level surface, free from external impact dangers and you should endeavour to maintain 3 points of contact (Not always practical)

If the task you are doing will take more than 5-10 minutes you should investigate an alternative such as platform steps or a scaff tower or MEWP.

People who advocate using harnesses on steps are simply accidents waiting to happen.

 

[Silly Sausage]

Fall restraint gear is useless below a certain height.
You need space for the shock absorbing element in them to operate, before you hit the ground!
I'm familiar with this being an ex (haven't been for 2 years!) climber.
If you fall on a length of rope, rigidly fixed at one end, other end on you, the shock generated can seriously damage you.

 

[Plonker 3]

What a ridiculous comment, using fall restraint on steps is as pointless and pouring water into a bottomless bucket.

Steps should only be used for short duration work and you should have steps that are fit for purpose, on a level surface, free from external impact dangers and you should endeavour to maintain 3 points of contact (Not always practical)

If the task you are doing will take more than 5-10 minutes you should investigate an alternative such as platform steps or a scaff tower or MEWP.

People who advocate using harnesses on steps are simply accidents waiting to happen.

I don't write the rules, I just said it counts as a point of contact.

I agree if there is a safer way then use it.

 

[amlu]

[video=youtube;F04dGK1_wYA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F04dGK1_wYA[/video]