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

 

[44ALLAN]

I'm under the impression nower days that no ladder work to be under taken. Ladder for access only. Sizzor platforms, cherry pickers etc to be used. Years ago in a large church high roof, we would use a 16ft double extender ladder, separate the 2 ladders and place each ladder together at the top, forming a triangle. Man footing each ladder, electrician climbs 1 ladder to suspended light fittings! What would H & S say?

Why would you foot the ladder?
Just stick it against the nearest bin fgs it's not going to go anywhere on the side of a church with the added insurance of the great one watching over you surely:angel_smile:

 

[telectrix]

Are my steps heath and safety approved?

View attachment 19492

my steps must have looked as good as that, many years ago. now i have to prop them up with my zimmer frame. ( shut up , geordie! oliceman

 

[Tim]

If you can see in the pic aswell i have bonded it, i was on a metal floor so it was an extranious part

 

[44ALLAN]

Archy, you are describing two totally different systems and mixing them up.

Fall Restraint - Fixed lanyard to prevent falling completely (except perhaps on your face or arse) and is designed for use where edge protections systems are in place but would not prevent falling over the side and where fall restraint is deemed likely to be hazardous to the person using it or would introduce dangers to rescuers

Fall Arrest - Fixed lanyard with a shock absorbing section designed to slow then arrest the fall of a person who falls off a gantry or other high work place but where rescue can be achieved within 20 minutes of incident..not recommended for edge protection on buildings, cliffs or where the fall height is less that the extended length of the lanyard.

Both types are to be used with the appropriate harness system, sized for the person using it who has been fully trained in their use.

For what it's worth, I am fully trained in the use of harnesses, ladder, scaffold, tower, mine, cliff and cave rescue as part of my work and as part of the 4x4 and Mountain rescue teams I volunteer for.

But you can't control a 3yr old !!:44:

 

[driverman]

Not on the side wall. I meant within the church itself.

 

[Outspoken]

But you can't control a 3yr old !!:44:

Ouch....but oh so true!!

 

[Outspoken]

Are my steps heath and safety approved?

View attachment 19492

I would throw them in the skip if you brought them into my building...and I am not kidding either.

 

[44ALLAN]

Ouch....but oh so true!!

Brought 3 of my own up and not sure what's hardest...............3 screaming kids wanting sweets or toys or deciding whether to bond my clothes line in case of a lightning strike

 

[Outspoken]

Brought 3 of my own up and not sure what's hardest...............3 screaming kids wanting sweets or toys or deciding whether to bond my clothes line in case of a lightning strike

I know that feeling!!

 

[Tim]

I would throw them in the skip if you brought them into my building...and I am not kidding either.

I was too lazy to get the proper steps off the top of the van just to change a ballest so i grabbed them out of the back and they finally broke beyond repair, they are now in the skip, they were only my quick job pair.

Tim

 

[Outspoken]

Tim, I think when we are the ones actually using them we have all done something similar, but i would never allow another person to use damaged steps even I would make the call for me personally..

 

[Brightspark2]

Who used this type?. So dangerous and so much play in them, flexing side to side under your feet. Even worse when they had been repaired on site numerous times!.

Rung breaks so just screw a new bracket on and repair ha ha. None of these new girly fibre glass steps!!

 

[trev]

How dare you surreptitiously take photos of my on site equipment! You think that's bad? you want to see the ones I use at home. The ones above are my best steps

 

[Toby Kuhnert]

View attachment 19509


Who used this type?. So dangerous and so much play in them, flexing side to side under your feet. Even worse when they had been repaired on site numerous times!.

Rung breaks so just screw a new bracket on and repair ha ha. None of these new girly fibre glass steps!!

I've used these! So so dodgy!! never felt so unstable in all my life...

 

[Brightspark2]

I've used these! So so dodgy!! never felt so unstable in all my life...

I think they came from 'factory' covered in paint too. Every set Ive seen is always covered in paint!.