KIER GROUP WORK AT HEIGHT (WAH)

HEALTH & SAFETY

LADDERS & STEP LADDERS
(Page 1 of 7) MANDATORY STANDARD

WHEN PLANNING WAH THE HIERARCHY OF CONTROLS MUST ALWAYS BE APPLIED

REFER TO THE WAH PROCESS & WORK EQUIPMENT SELECTION FLOWCHARTS PROVIDED

The application of this standard regarding the selection and use of Ladders
& Step Ladders on Kier Group sites is MANDATORY.
The selection of ladders & step ladders MUST only be considered where a RISK ASSESSMENT
has identified that it is NOT REASONABLE to use equipment that PREVENTS FALLS, preference
MUST be given to the use of scaffolding, MEWP’s mobile towers etc.

Included in this standard are Kier Group requirements regarding the selection and use of:

• Ladders as a means of access onto scaffolds, etc.

• Ladders / step ladders as a place of work

LADDERS AS A MEANS OF ACCESS ONTO SCAFFOLDS, ETC

Access onto scaffolds is to be selected in accordance with the following hierarchy:

1. Proprietary system scaffold stair towers (see Fig 1)

2. Ladder access bays with single lift ladders (see Fig 3)
3. Ladder access bays with multiple lift ladders
4. Internal ladder access with a proprietary protected ladder trap (see Fig 4)
5. External ladder access using a proprietary self closing safety gate (see Fig 5 & 6)

General requirements with regard to these methods of scaffold access are:

• Refer also to the MANDATORY Standard regarding Tube and Fitting Scaffold
• All external ladder access points are to be protected by proprietary self closing safety gates
• All internal ladder access points within working platforms are to be protected by proprietary
ladder traps
• All scaffold gates/traps are to default to the closed position and not be held open
• Only class 1 ladders which are in sound condition are to be used
• All ladders to be securely tied by both stiles, inclined at an angle of 1:4 (75 degree) projecting
1 metre minimum above the platform but not excessively and so creating a hazard
• All ladders to be founded on a firm level base, with access free from trip hazards or materials
• Where appropriate the base of ladder bays/stair towers are to be secured with Heras fencing
or similar and a lockable gate to deter unauthorised access (see Fig 2)
• Where appropriate first lift ladders are to be removed or have their rungs blocked off to deter
unauthorised access (see Fig 7)
• Stair towers/ladder bays and other ladder access points to be located away from loading bays,
hoists, rubbish chutes and vehicle routes. (Should this not be possible, segregate and protect
pedestrian approaches to first lift stairs/ladders with clearly visible physical barriers).
• Stairs/ladders which form part of a scaffold are required to be included in the scaffold
handover/inspection regime
Where ladders are to be used as a means of access other than onto scaffolds, e.g. into
cofferdams, excavations, etc. the principles detailed in this process are to be applied.
Work at Height - Ladders & Step Ladders (Issue 4 September 2007)
 KIER GROUP WORK AT HEIGHT (WAH)
HEALTH & SAFETY
LADDERS & STEP LADDERS
(Page 2 of 7) MANDATORY STANDARD

SYSTEM SCAFFOLD STAIR TOWERS

These should ALWAYS be considered as the first choice for access onto scaffolds etc.

Fig 1 Fig 2
Proprietary System Scaffold Stair Tower Base of stair tower enclosed by Heras Fencing
& a lockable gate

Additional requirements to those previously listed on page 1 & 2:

• Erected by competent persons trained in that particular system scaffold (where part of a
scaffold by CISRS scaffolders)
• Erected and tied in accordance with manufacturers instructions which MUST be readily
available on site
• Subject to issue of a handover certificate, prior to first use and subsequent weekly scaffold
inspection by a competent person
• Flights of stairs constructed from tube and fitting scaffold components are NOT considered
to be an appropriate choice due to the time and effort involved in their construction,
inspection and maintenance. Also the inherent common problem of inconsistent riser
heights and inadequate foothold on treads.

Work at Height - Ladders & Step Ladders (Issue 4 September 2007)

 KIER GROUP WORK AT HEIGHT (WAH)
HEALTH & SAFETY
LADDERS & STEP LADDERS
(Page 3 of 7) MANDATORY STANDARD

LADDER ACCESS BAYS

Where limited space prevents selection of system scaffold stair towers consideration is to be
given to the provision of ladder access bays. Bays with single lift ladders similar to that shown
in Fig 3 are preferred to those with multiple lift ladders.

Additional requirements to those previously listed

on page 1 & 2:

• Erected by competent CISRS scaffolders in

accordance with TG20 standard solutions or
to specific design criteria

Fig 3
Ladder Access Tower with single lift ladders

INTERNAL/EXTERNAL LADDER ACCESS

Only in circumstances where it can be demonstrated that it is not reasonable to provide access
to scaffold working platforms from a system scaffold stair tower or ladder access bay, should
these last resort options be considered. Selection being made in the following order of
preference:

1. Internal ladder access with a proprietary protected ladder trap (NB to be positioned where
possible away from the main work area, e.g. at end of scaffold platform)
2. External ladder access with a proprietary safety gate (NB to be restricted to first and second
lifts only)

Fig 4 Fig 5
Internal ladder access using a protected ladder trap External ladder access using a safety gate

Additional requirements to those previously listed on page 1 & 2:

• Installed at the time of erection/alteration of the scaffold by a competent CISRS scaffolder

Work at Height - Ladders & Step Ladders (Issue 4 September 2007)

 KIER GROUP WORK AT HEIGHT (WAH)
HEALTH & SAFETY
LADDERS & STEP LADDERS
(Page 4 of 7) MANDATORY STANDARD

Fig 6 illustrates the minimum requirement

for a ladder access to a scaffold platform:

• Ladder inclined at 1:4 (75 degree angle)

• Correctly secured at top by both stiles
(NB. tying wire, nylon banding from
packaging and putlog fittings are NOT
suitable for securing access ladders)
• Self closing safety gate fitted
• Clear access to base of ladder and
platform landing

Should it not be possible to locate a ladder

access point away from a vehicle route the
base of the ladder and approach MUST be
segregated and protected with a rigid,
clearly visible physical barrier

Fig 7 demonstrates restricting access to a

first lift ladder when not in use, as an
alternative to removal of the ladder

Work at Height - Ladders & Step Ladders (Issue 4 September 2007)

 KIER GROUP WORK AT HEIGHT (WAH)
HEALTH & SAFETY
LADDERS & STEP LADDERS
(Page 5 of 7) MANDATORY STANDARD

LADDERS AND STEP LADDERS AS A PLACE OF WORK

The selection of a ladder or a step ladder as a place of work MUST be determined by risk
assessment which MUST be able to justify why safer alternatives were ruled out. Preference
MUST be given to equipment that prevents falls; MEWPS, mobile towers etc. (See Safe Use of
Ladders and Step Ladders Checklist attached).

Lone working using ladders should where possible be avoided.

The use of ladders or step ladders MUST be formally authorised by Kier site management and
strictly controlled (see the attached Ladder Permit which can be used for this purpose).

ALL persons authorised to use ladders and step ladders MUST have been instructed in their safe
use (HSE pocket card “Top Tips for Ladder & Step Ladder Safety” is a useful instruction aide)

Only class 1 heavy duty industrial grade ladders and step ladders are to be authorised for use.
These are usually indicated by a blue label.

STEP LADDERS
The following illustrations show alternatives to conventional step ladders. These and other
similar advances in technology MUST where possible be selected in preference to
conventional steps.

Fig 8 Fig 9
Platform Steps Podium Steps

Work at Height - Ladders & Step Ladders (Issue 4 September 2007)

 KIER GROUP WORK AT HEIGHT (WAH)
HEALTH & SAFETY
LADDERS & STEP LADDERS
(Page 6 of 7) MANDATORY STANDARD

LADDERS
Almost half of accidents involving ladders happen because the ladder was not prevented from
falling or slipping. The options for securing a ladder follow in order of preference:

1. Tie the ladder to a suitable point by both stiles

2. Where this is not possible, use an unsecured ladder supplemented with an effective
proprietary ladder stability device (e.g. a ladder stay and anti-slip device)
3. Securely wedge the bottom of the ladder to prevent it sliding e.g. against a wall
4. Footing the ladder is the last resort and should where possible be avoided

The following illustrations demonstrate examples of incorrect and correct use of a ladder as a
place of work.

Fig 10 Fig 11
Incorrect – overreaching position • Short duration work, 15-30 minutes in one
position
• Light work, no strenuous tasks involving
carrying/supporting materials
• Three points of contact maintained
• Person & equipment combined do not overload
highest stated load
• No overreaching both feet on same rung, belt
buckle inside the stiles

Current copies and advice on the application of Kier Group Health and Safety REDTOP
Processes, MANDATORY Standards and Best Practice Guidelines are available from your
local Health and Safety Manager/Advisor. Copies are also posted on the Safety, Health and
Environment section of KIERnet.

Work at Height - Ladders & Step Ladders (Issue 4 September 2007)

 KIER GROUP WORK AT HEIGHT (WAH)
HEALTH & SAFETY
LADDERS & STEP LADDERS
(Page 7 of 7) MANDATORY STANDARD

OPERATION – SAFE USE OF LADDERS AND STEP LADDERS CHECKLIST

Project:
Contract No: Date:
Name of Person Undertaking check or safety monitoring:

1. Risk Assessment: Has a RA applying the principles of the work at height 9 8

hierarchy been undertaken which justifies selection of ladders/stepladders over
safer alternatives?
2. Authorisation: Has the use of the ladder/step ladder been authorised by Kier 9 8
site management (see specimen Kier Group Use of ladder/step ladder permit)?

3. Selection of ladder/stepladder as a place of work: A ladder or step ladder can 9 8

only be selected if :
• Safer alternatives are not viable
• The work activity is of short duration
• Three points of contact can be maintained(i.e. 2 feet/1 hand or vice versa
• The work activity involves “light work” only
4. Selection of ladder/stepladder: Is the ladder/step ladder suitable for the task? 9 8
(Class 1 Heavy Duty Industrial Grade of suitable length and in good condition).
5. Competence: Has the operative been trained/instructed in the safe use of the 9 8
equipment to be used?

ACCESS TO SCAFFOLDS
6. Access to scaffolds: - Can a proprietary stair tower be installed? 9 8
7. Access to scaffolds: - If it is not possible to install a stair tower has the use of 9 8
ladder hierarchy been applied?
8. Ladder access to scaffolds: - Is the ladder long enough (1 metre or 5 rungs 9 8
protruding over scaffold platform) good condition?
9. Ladder access to scaffolds: - Is the ladder at the correct angle of 75˚ (1 rung 9 8
out for every 4 rungs up)?
10. Ladder access to scaffolds: - Is the ladder secured by both stiles to stop it from 9 8
moving?
NB: Tying wire or nylon packaging straps are not suitable methods of securing
access ladders.
11. Ladder access to scaffolds: - Are ladder openings in guardrails/platforms 9 8
protected by proprietary safety gates and ladder traps?
12. Housekeeping: - Are stairs, landings and approaches free from trip hazards? 9 8

13 Security: Are measures required to deter unauthorised access? 9 8

Work at Height - Ladders & Step Ladders (Issue 4 September 2007)

 KIER GROUP WORK AT HEIGHT (WAH)
HEALTH & SAFETY
LADDERS & STEP LADDERS
(Page 8 of 8)
KIER GROUP
MANDATORY STANDARD
USE OF LADDER / STEP LADDER PERMIT
CONTRACT TITLE: CONTRACT NO:
SUB-CONTRACTOR: DATE OF ISSUE:
LOCATION: OF LADDER/STEP USE: SHEET NO:

ACTIVITY/OPERATION: SPECIFIED EQUIPMENT TO BE USED (LENGTH, DATE OF SIGNATURES CONFIRMING RECEIPT OF HSE DATE
HEIGHT, NO. OF RUNGS ETC.) EVALUATION POCKET GUIDE
INCLUDE UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION NO. OF RA/SSW (SEE POINT NO. 2 BELOW)
(SEE POINT NO. 3 BELOW) FOREMAN AND OPERATIVES

KIER GROUP AUTHORISING

PERMIT CLOSURE DATE:
SIGNATURE:

NAME AND JOB TITLE: SUB-CONTRACTOR SIGNATURE:

KIER GROUP SIGNATURE:

1) This permit will not be issued unless the subcontractors risk assessment has been evaluated and approved by Kier Management.
2) All operatives using steps/ladders must receive a TBT on Step Ladder/Ladder Safety and be issued a copy of the HSE “Top Tips for Ladder and Ladder Safety”
pocket guide. NB. A copy of the record of TBT must be attached to this permit.
3) Steps/ladders must be industrial grade (blue identification labels) and must be in good condition with an individual identification no.
4) Steps/ladders are to be removed from work area and secured at end of the each day.

NB: - This permit is a suggested format only. Other permits may be developed and used to suit local business arrangements.
Work at Height - Ladders & Step Ladders (Issue 4 September 2007)