Stepping into Management Knowledge

H&S Training

1.12

STEPLADDER & LADDER SAFETY

PURPOSE OF THE TRAINING EXERCISE: To ensure the group are aware of the potential hazards of working at heights and know how to use ladders and step ladders safely TRAINING METHOD: Explanation, questioning and a practical exercise For All Bar One’s, additional risk training is available by referring to assessment 3.01 Specific Risk Assessments 1.08, 1.15, 1.16, 1.20 in the Legal Certificates and Risk Assessment Folder

EXPLAIN TO THE TEAM: You may find that in the course of your work you occasionally have to undertake tasks that are too high for you to comfortably reach for instance reaching an item from a high shelf. There may be any easy way to overcome this problem: You may be able to ask a taller colleague to reach it for you; or a suitable step may be provided to give you an extra few inches of height. However from time to time the only way to do the task properly might be to use a ladder or step ladder, although you should always try and avoid work at height as the first principle.

ASK QUESTION TO GROUP: What tasks do you undertake that is too high for you to reach without standing on something?  Changing light bulbs  Removing canopy filters in the kitchen  Light cleaning, dusting tops of shelving units (Extendable cleaning poles are available for this)  Putting up Christmas decorations/point of sale ASSESS ANSWERS:  Use this part of the exercise to assess whether any team members are taking unnecessary risks by over-reaching or are standing on inadequate or dangerous structures or equipment to reach high places or doing work that can be avoided by providing long reach cleaning poles.

EXPLAIN TO THE TEAM:

We have to be aware that even in busy times our personal safety and the safety of our colleagues and guests is paramount. We do not take needless risks. If you do not feel confident in undertaking a task due to it being uncomfortably high for you then don’t do it. Make this clear to your team leader or supervisor.

We will use the rest of this training session to understand how to safely use a ladder or a step ladder

Correct Use Of A Ladder

ASK QUESTION TO GROUP: What are the dangers associated with using a ladder at either work or at home?

CONFIRM CORRECT ANSWER: These are examples but there are many other dangers associated with incorrect ladder usage:  Overreaching causing you to lose your balance or causing the ladder to slip.

 More than one person on the ladder at the same time  People underneath being hit if things are dropped  Ladder not being stood on firm level ground.  Using ladders that are not company approved .

EXPLAIN TO THE TEAM:

Safety Assurance Dec 15

H & S Training 1.12