http://www.niso.ie/documents/GuideWAHRegs06.pdfSorry but I know this has been discussed before but having read this document which came out only last year a couple of things stand out to me.
Ladders are not banned - We all know that but the following wordings in this document like our own make me feel that soon it will be worded differently.
1) The Work at Height Regulations do not ban ladders but require consideration to be given to their use. They require that ladders should only be considered where the use of other more suitable work equipment such as towers, mobile platforms, scaffolds or temporary stairs is not appropriate.
I know it does not say WFP but this is an alternative tool that now needs to be considered.
2) Where ladders and stepladders are used, they should only be used as a workplace for light work that is low risk and of short duration.
People who use ladders use them over a period of 5 hrs +
The work at height regulations is currently a temporary regulation but when it does get defined I feel that the above two comments will be stated more clearly as they are currently open to any interpretation.
WFP will be the more suitable work equipement in our industry and I feel that this may be enforced that this is now used.
The usage of ladders will be restricted and a time set, knowing the EC they will probably set a limit of ladder usuage per day at around x mins.
No they won't ban ladders but it will become harder to use them, they will only be used as a temporary use not permanent use.
The current rules are not all that clear and leave it up to the individual to make that choice and I find it muddled at present. But when the next revised rules come out I feel there will be stipulations in place that will make the ladder a temporary tool and WFP will become the tool everyone will have to use.
Not wishing to cause another heated debate on ladder usage, this is a debate on what you feel the EC will do when they revisit the work at height regulations.
When this will happen I do not know but I have a funny feeling that in a few years we may see these changes. Does anyone else feel that this may come.
Doug