Ensuring Safe Use of Portable Ladders
There are situations where a safer fixed ladder cannot be used, and Portable ladders become inevitable. Due to their ease of use and versatile nature, the safety of the user is often neglected, leading to their use in various settings. However, when purchasing and during usage you need to ensure it is in conformance with safety standards, so accidents and injuries can be prevented.
We are here to guide and assist with maintenance and certification of portable ladders, ensuring you remain compliant and safe. Read More
Portable ladders, by their very nature, often tend to receive rougher treatment than those that are fixed. And because worker safety may depend on the proper performance of ladders, it’s important they are kept in good condition.
Employers should ensure that ladders are in good order, suitable for a task and safe to use. All employees should also check the condition of ladders before they use them. In addition to this, legislation requires the periodic inspection of ladders to ensure their safety
Making a Safety Ladder with Platform Safe to Use
A platform ladder is any ladder that has a standing surface at the top with a safety railing around it. This enables workers to face in any direction when working and so gives more flexibility than a normal step ladder.
Platform ladders are regulated by Australian Standard 1892.2:2018, which states that they have to be industrial grade, be suitable for the task for which they are used and have a platform measuring at least 24 inches (61 centimetres) by 30 inches (76 centimetres). They must also have a minimum displayed load rating of 120 kgs (including the user and equipment) and, if they are made of metal, must have feet that are made of rubber or some other non-slip material.
For the safety ladder with a platform to be considered a safe area from which a worker cannot fall, it needs to be sufficiently protected so that cannot happen.
Conducting Safety Inspection for Platform Ladders
Here at Workplace Access & Safety, in addition to the regular checking of ladders before and after use by workers, we will carry out a formal inspection at set intervals. Regulations simply state that ladders must be ‘routinely inspected’ but the interval mainly depends on the extent of use, the robustness of the ladder and the manufacturer’s guidelines, which generally state a six-monthly interval for portable ladders and annually for those that are fixed.
During our portable ladder inspections, we will check that:
- the load rating is adequate
- the ladder is stable and free from any damage; the platform and legs should not be bent, twisted, cracked, dented or corroded in any way
- all components, such as the platform, rungs, side rails, feet and grips are not loose and that fixings are not corroded or missing
- each ladder is correctly labelled with load rating, manufacturer’s name and address, and compliance with Australian standards
- rungs and platforms are non-slip, durable and free from oil, grease, grit and paint
- if a locking mechanism is fitted, that it functions correctly and is not damaged or corroded.
By inspecting your ladders periodically, we will ensure they are safe to use and function as they should do. Read Less
Safety Features to Consider:
- Utility: what task is the portable ladder being used for?
- What is the environment? e.g. Fiberglass, Aluminum
- Non-Slip Treads and Platform: having non-slip surfaces on the steps & platforms can prevent falls.
- Stability: features such as wide bases, non-slip feet, and spreader bars will ensure that the ladder remains stable while climbing
- Guardrails: for additional safety it is recommended to use a platform ladder with guardrails.
- Load Capacity: the ladder should be checked thoroughly to make sure that it can support and withhold your weight, including the weight of all the tools or materials you’ll be handling.
Portable Ladder Compliance & Certification
For a portable ladder to be compliant the ladder needs to meet the relevant Australian safety standard, AS 1892.5:2000.
This standard sets out the requirements and procedures for designers, manufacturers, suppliers and any users of these portable ladders. It also acts as a guide for inspection and maintenance.
To confirm the recommended inspection frequency for your portable ladders;
Additional Resources
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