OHS REPS @ WORK

"Falls from heights are a major workplace hazard resulting in fatalities and injuries across a broad range of Victorian industries, with the construction industry accounting for 27 per cent of all related injury claims."  WorkSafe Media Release.

Working on ladders is a huge hazard.

The Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) reports that for the two year period of  a study undertaken by them (2002/3-2003/4) ladder use was related to at least 12 deaths and more than 5000 hospital treated injuries. More than 80% of those injured were male. MUARC's winter 2006 edition of its HAZARD newsletter [pdf], focuses on ladder related injuries, and provides these and other statistics, as well as some practical advice.

Part 3.3 (Prevention of Falls) of the  Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (2007) specifically targets falls from heights of more than two metres, which result in a high number of deaths.  Compliance Codes are being developed, but in the meantime, the following Codes of Practice (declared under the 1985 OHS Act) can provide guidance and advice:

• Prevention of Falls in General Construction (Code of Practice No.28, 2004)
• Prevention of Falls in Housing Construction (Code of Practice No.29, 2004)

For more information on prevention of falls, go to the FAQ Working from heights - what are the regulations?.  Basically, the regulations say that ladders should only be used as more or less the last resort if undertaking a task at heights.

In addition, there is also the following advice from the WorkSafe site:

Are ladders being used safely?

Ladders should only be used for very light work where there is no danger of over reaching and the worker can steady themself at all times. Ladders should only be set up on firm flat surfaces. Single and extension ladders should be fixed against movement or footed by another person.

Make sure the ladder is high enough for the job so that workers do not have to stand higher than 900 mm from the top (for single and extension ladders) or the third tread from the top plate of a step ladder. Domestic grade ladders are not suitable for normal building work.

Metal or metal-reinforced ladders should not be used in proximity to any live electrical equipment or power lines.

Ladder bracket scaffolds are only suitable for very light work such as signwriting and should never be set up at heights greater than 2 metres.

Trestle ladder scaffolds should also not be used where a person or object could fall more than 2 metres.

Stepladders

Stepladders, or something similar, should be available in most workplaces (for example offices, schools) to enable workers to reach higher shelves, etc.  Read more.

Employer Duties

All employers have a general duty of care under Section 21 of the OHS Act to provide and maintain a healthy and safe workplace, systems of work and plant for employees and others. So even if there are no specific regulations on ladders, the employer must take all reasonable steps to make sure that any risks associated with working on ladders are eliminated or reduced as much as possible.

Ladder Licenses

There is no such thing as a 'ladder license' under Victorian OHS legislation. However, there seems to be a view, particularly in schools, that such a thing exists.

The Victorian Education department has guidelines/policy on how ladders can be/should be used (eg not above a certain height) See this sample procedure on Ladder Safety [doc] produced by Noel Arnold and Associates for the department

Note it says - 'do not use a ladder where you could fall more than 2mts unless you have authorisation'. There are also compliance guidelines on the Education Department site for Prevention of Falls and Preventing Falls of greater than 2 metres. For contact details for the company and also links to the department guidelines, go to this page in the Education section of this website:

There are also short courses available on height safety (eg provided through TAFEs or private providers).

See Also

• Prevention of Falls – Ladders: a 6 page brochure from the VWA intended to illustrate practical methods of reducing the likelihood of injuries from falls, both above and below two metres. The publication covers risk assessment, examples of acceptable ladder use, correct use, and ladder maintainance  
• NSW WorkCover has a useful Safety Guide Portable Ladders which provides advice on the safe use of all types of ladders, and includes references to relevant Australian Standards.
• Basic steps to Preventing Falls from Heights  - also from the VWA, provides guidance to assist employers in identifying risks and situations where someone may fall from height. It includes solutions on what safety measures are needed to prevent a fall or minimize the risk.
• The VWA Falls Prevention website, for more fact sheets.
• From the UK's HSE, a number of guides:
  • Safe use of ladders and stepladders - an employers' guide [pdf];
  • A toolbox talk on leaning ladder and stepladder safety [pdf], for employers giving refresher training to ladder users;
  • Top tips for ladder and stepladder safety  [pdf], a pocket card for workers, giving key messages on ladder use.
• From WorkSafe British Columbia (Canada) a well-illustrated booklet  Safe Ladder Use [pdf]

(last amended November 2007)