Safety ladders are intended to remove any doubt about the risk of a fall from height – but should any lingering uncertainty remain after installation, in situ testing is a good way to eradicate it.
A recent feature in Materials Handling World magazine highlights the importance of safety when working at height, claiming that 3,000 major injuries and around 40 fatalities occur in the UK each year due to falls.
There are several resources to help companies improve their safety precautions at altitude, and among them is the video toolbox talks compiled by the Access Industry Forum.
One of their latest talks is provided by ATLAS – the Association of Technical Lighting & Access Specialists – on the subject of best practice among steeplejacks; however, much of its guidance is equally well applicable to anybody who works with ladders.
Eleanor Hill, ATLAS council member, explains that in situ testing can be carried out on safety ladders, where a weight equivalent to that of a tethered human body is dropped from height, before the structure is inspected for damage.
This simulates the effects of a fall involving a person secured using a man anchor – and can eradicate any lasting doubts about whether the ladder can withstand the deceleration force of bringing a fall to a safe stop.