Ladder safety - a warning

Dreamscometrue

Norman_Castle wrote: »

So did they break or were they not set properly?

They are broken.

Nick_C

I have three sets of Abru ladders. Two step ladders. One extending ladder reaching roof height. They each have a maximum safe load limit of 95kg.

I wouldn't allow any workman to use them, or any of my tools.

adonis

We are all responsible for our own health and safety, I have refused to go up ladders that I am not happy with,
I have let contractors use my ladders to go higher than that but made sure they was happy to use them.

If he couldn't be bothered to get his out, down to him.

Dreamscometrue

Nick_C wrote: »

I have three sets of Abru ladders. Two step ladders. One extending ladder reaching roof height. They each have a maximum safe load limit of 95kg.

I wouldn't allow any workman to use them, or any of my tools.

I will never allow workmen to use my ladders in future. It could have been much worse.

adonis

Nick_C wrote: »

I have three sets of Abru ladders. Two step ladders. One extending ladder reaching roof height. They each have a maximum safe load limit of 95kg.

I wouldn't allow any workman to use them, or any of my tools.

Ours was lent for inspection, higher spec than yours and I was going up them as well,
I have had electricians complaining that they have lent out their ladders and they end up covered with paint and plaster so I see where you are coming from.;)

DUTR

Dreamscometrue wrote: »

Hi,
I do quite a bit of DIY myself and go into the loft from time to time without any issues. I weigh around 9 stone. I had an engineer here on Friday who came to replace a burnt out diverter valve. He couldn't be bothered to get his ladders and thinking nothing of it I lent him mine. I went into the loft first to move a few things and then he went to turn off the water in the loft. Moments later he'd just stepped on the top rung of the ladder and the ladders came apart with the huge man crashing to the ground. There was blood everywhere. He'd split his head open and I had to call for an ambulance. I later discovered that he had 7 stitches. I never want to see something like that again. Please make sure that the ladders can hold your weight before use. This guy was average height with a bit of a belly.

He is supposed to do his own on site risk assesment .

minicooper272

Hmm, we had workmen in last week who used our ladder to access the loft - it's a multi-way ladder and I explained the limits on how to set it up, and explained you weren't supposed to used the top two rungs etc etc. They ignored everything I said, and went ahead anyway while I stood at the bottom feeling nervous.

If it's any consolation, I expect it wouldn't have mattered if you'd told him how your ladder should be used - a lot of these guys think it's H&S gone mad & they've been fine doing it their way for years. You'll simply have to wait and see whether he claims on your insurance or his own personal injury insurance (if he's had h&s training & ignored it though, you aren't 100% liable).

EachPenny

Dreamscometrue wrote: »

They are broken.

Hopefully you've retained the bits as 'evidence' if it is needed.

The main issue is whether he decides to report the accident to the HSE under RIDDOR. It sounds like whether it is reportable will be a close call.

If he decides not to report then it will probably be a lot less likely he will want to try and take any action against you - because even though the ladder belonged to you he was responsible under H&S legislation to do certain things before using it, and deciding not to use it if it was unsuitable for the job.

You might want to familiarise yourself with RIDDOR - just so you better understand what involvement HSE might have if it is a reportable accident and HSE decide to follow it up.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/index.htm

More information about the safe use of ladders is available on the HSE site, specifically here:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg455.pdf

Note in particular the things involved in the "pre-use check", which should be carried out by the user.

sevenhills

adonis wrote: »

If he couldn't be bothered to get his out, down to him.

His employers ladders were probably better made, if you are using ladders for 15 years to access your loft, perhaps they were worn out?
My sister borrowed my ladders 5+ years ago, because they extended and were good for getting into her loft.
I could do with them back

Dreamscometrue

EachPenny wrote: »

Hopefully you've retained the bits as 'evidence' if it is needed.

The main issue is whether he decides to report the accident to the HSE under RIDDOR. It sounds like whether it is reportable will be a close call.

If he decides not to report then it will probably be a lot less likely he will want to try and take any action against you - because even though the ladder belonged to you he was responsible under H&S legislation to do certain things before using it, and deciding not to use it if it was unsuitable for the job.

You might want to familiarise yourself with RIDDOR - just so you better understand what involvement HSE might have if it is a reportable accident and HSE decide to follow it up.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/index.htm

More information about the safe use of ladders is available on the HSE site, specifically here:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg455.pdf

Note in particular the things involved in the "pre-use check", which should be carried out by the user.

I made photos of the damaged door, broken ladders, bloody carpet & door. I don't have a car so can't take the ladders to the tip anyway. I managed to snap off one of the legs with my bare hands! The metal had split and the whole thing was bent. I feel sorry for him but I'm still waiting for the company to sort out the valve after ten days without hot water.