Safety issues
Portable ladders are one of the least stable but most often used tools when working at heights. A ladder failure can result in a fall.
Where plastic/polymer structural components are exposed to UV rays, eg stored outdoors or on vehicle roof racks or in direct sunlight, these components may degrade and become brittle. Brittle plastic/polymer components reduce the overall strength and durability of the ladder and cause the ladder to be unsafe for use, as it could fail suddenly.
Falls continue to be a leading cause of serious and fatal incidents in the construction industry. Serious and fatal falls continue to happen where risk control measures are not in place or do not adequately control the risk of falls.
Recommended ways to control the risks
Where there is a risk of a person falling from a height of more than two metres, employers must eliminate or reduce the risk under the prevention of falls hierarchy of control set out in Part 3.3 of the OHS Regulations. Where there is a risk to health and safety associated with a fall from two metres or less, employers must still control the risk so far as is reasonably practicable.
While ladders are often the first choice when working at heights, they should only be used if safer options have been assessed first and are not reasonably practicable for the task. Safer options include long-handled tools, scaffolding or elevated work platforms (EWPs).
If no higher order means of control is reasonably practicable and you intend to use a portable ladder to control the risk of a fall, the employer must ensure that the ladder is:
- fit for purpose
- appropriate for the duration of the task, and
- set up correctly
For further information please visit https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/safety-alerts/employees-seriously-injured-falls-when-ladders-failed
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