Unsafe Ladder Use
This photo was recently taken at a filling station in Waterford. It shows two workers standing on a ladder which has been set up on the roof of a van. The workers were carrying out some work to the filling station canopy and set about using the van as an extension for their ladder in order to reach the canopy.
What the photo does not show, is that one of the workers stood on the roof of the van, holding the opened out ladder while the driver reversed the van up to the desired spot.
Clearly there are breaches of various health and safety regulations here, including: incorrect selection of equipment, breaches of work at height regulations and so on. A simple risk assessment should have highlighted to all concerned just how dangerous this approach was. A risk assessment would also have made it clear what should be done to minimise the risk to the workers.
If you require professional advice regarding workplace health and safety, please call Business Safety on 0818 333 212. Clients in Munster can call our Cork offices on 021 23 55 800.
