lbird08 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Hiya.I have hired a Zarges Ladder Skymaster 3Part Combination - 14 rung 6.9m ladder for our school production.I am only really going to be using for reloading confetti airburst pyros above the stage! Is there any major health and safety restrictions on this? Thanks Lawrence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Some Bloke Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Quick answer: no. Full answer: check to ensure you are insured to go up it. If not, get someone else to do it for you. After that, as long as you use it as per the manufacturer's instructions then you can do what you like with it! Manufacturer's insturnctions will include how to set it up, maximum height you can go to, that it should always be set on a flat surface, that someone should be footing it while someone else is up the ladder and that you should always work forwards off a ladder not behind you. As you're changing pyros the obvious H&S policiy is to ensure they're turned off before you start messing around with them. Putting the key on a lanyard round your neck is best. HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gareth Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 you should always work forwards off a ladder not behind youStrictly speaking, you shouldn't work off a ladder at all - it's a means of access, not a work platform, and you should be maintaining three points of contact with the ladder at all times. Yeah, right .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ynot Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 WAS going to comment with a smiley....Then I scrolled down a bit further....!:** laughs out loud **: B-) :)Strictly speaking, you shouldn't work off a ladder at all - it's a means of access, not a work platform, and you should be maintaining three points of contact with the ladder at all times. Yeah, right .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I was having the discussion about footing ladders etc when someone came up with the arguement that the brand new Zargees that someone purchased had a picture of it in use with no one footing it in A frame mode. Couldn't find the same photo but there is one here of something similar in ladder mode: http://www.zargesuk.co.uk/page.cfm?PageID=...;CatalogueID=65 Now trying to find a manfacturers instructions and seem to be lacking, anyone find a link to some? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryson Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Cue: The truly awful pic of Tallescope use that they've been using for years.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnlinford Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 If you're staying within the area of the frame, not reaching out and not exerting any force that could tip the ladder, there is no reason to have it footed. However, most of the use of ladders within theatre carries some element of moving things around - be it rigging or focusing. As always you should have a risk assessment for your intended use. Anyone footing the ladder while you're working up it should also really wear a hard hat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soundie Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Your footer should also be making sure that people on the ground are aware that you are above, not wheeling cases into your ladder, taking their break underneath you, leaning against the ladder etc. It can be surprisingly easy to not see someone up a ladder in certain circumstances, and very easy to catch one of the stabilizing base legs with a flightcase wheel. Obviously there are times where this is not quite so necessary, like if there were only 2 people in the area. As always, down to risk assessment, and more importantly, common sense. If you're staying within the area of the frame, not reaching out and not exerting any force that could tip the ladder, there is no reason to have it footed. However, most of the use of ladders within theatre carries some element of moving things around - be it rigging or focusing. As always you should have a risk assessment for your intended use. Anyone footing the ladder while you're working up it should also really wear a hard hat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grum Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Strictly speaking, you shouldn't work off a ladder at all - it's a means of access, not a work platform, and you should be maintaining three points of contact with the ladder at all times. Not according to the HSE clicky, clearly mentions working from a ladder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Lewis Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Not according to the HSE clicky, clearly mentions working from a ladder. That's just refuting the rumour that the HSE have banned them altogether. This page is more appropriate - and they highlight: "HSE’s key message is that that ladders should only be used for low-risk, short-duration work." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Some Bloke Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Not according to the HSE clicky, clearly mentions working from a ladder. That's just refuting the rumour that the HSE have banned them altogether. This page is more appropriate - and they highlight: "HSE’s key message is that that ladders should only be used for low-risk, short-duration work."So they DO say "work" not "access" then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grum Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Yes, both pages refer to work rather than access. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gareth Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 I guess there's a "get-out" clause if the work is of short duration. But the killer in that situation is that the "three points of contact" rule *always* applies, so if it's work that requires more than one hand you're stuffed (if you follow the rules to the letter, of course). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Diamond Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Guidance that was issued last year by the HSE indicated that 'three points of contact" does not always have to mean two feet and one hand at the top of a ladder. The HSE guidance indicates that where you have an A-Frame ladder positioned correctly and an appropriate length on the extension of the ladder, you are permitted to use TWO hands for carrying out tasks at the top of a ladder, as long as the third point of contact is your chest, leaning on the top of the extension ladder. I cannot find the exact reference at the moment but have a look here: http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/usingladders/facethework.htm for supporting evidence. A step ladder that is in good condition and on a flat surface should not need footing in most basic applications. But where a risk assessment or common sense dictates, footing maybe required if the ground is uneven or unstable (ref: wooden marquee floors). The same principle should apply to the use of Zarges. The principle of 'short period work' can be demonstrated by the example of rigging a truss in a marquee where rigging the truss can be done on the deck if manual chain blocks are used. Once fully rigged the truss is flown and the only work that should need to be carried out at height is attaching the safety wires and focussing lamps (Best Practice = short period work). This example is in contrast to having to complete the same task when the truss is in a fixed rigging position at height and all operations; rigging, cabling, gelling, focussing etc. would be carried out from a ladder (NOT short period work). I would recommend the use of a scaffold tower if this is the case as the means of access MUST be suitable for the task required. Health & Safety is not about making your job more difficult but rather making you aware of the the hazards you face during the course of your work and protecting you from the risks they pose. Common sense will prevail! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete McCrea Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Would your forehead count? That could leave two hands free..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.