Repair, Maintenance And Storage; Maintenance And Storing Your Ladder; Reasons For Accidents - Euromate 223456 Notice Originale

GB
Standing ladders shall not be used as lean-
ing ladders unless they are designed forthat
purpose;
• Do not move a ladder while standing on it;
• For outdoor use caution to the wind.
Only use the ladder in the direction as indi-
cated, only if necessary due to design of lad-
der.

Repair, maintenance and storage

Repairs and maintenance shall be carried out by a
competent person and be in accordance with the pro-
ducer's instruction.
For repair and replacement of parts, e.g. feet, if nec-
essary contact the producer or distributor.
Ladder should be stored in accordance with the pro-
ducer's instructions.
Ladders made of or using thermoplastic, thermoset-
ting plastic and reinforced plastic materials should be
stored out of direct sunlight.
Ladders made of wood should be stored in a dry
place and shall not be coated with opaque and
vapour-tight paints.
The important considerations when storing a ladder
(not in use) should include the following:
– Is the ladder stored away from areas where its
condition could deteriorate more rapidly (e.g.
dampness, excessive heat, or exposed to the ele-
ments)?
– Is the ladder stored in a position which helps itto
remain straight (e.g. hung by the stiles on proper
ladder brackets or laid on a flat clutter free sur-
face)?
– Is the ladder stored where it cannot be damaged
by vehicles, heavy objects, or contaminants?
– Is the ladder stored where it cannot cause a trip
hazard or an obstruction?
– Is the ladder stored securely where it cannot be
easily used for criminal purposes?
– If the ladder is permanently positioned (e.g. on
scaffolding), is it secured against unauthorized
climbing (e.g. by children)?

Maintenance and storing your ladder:

• Keep the ladder in a clean, dry place.
• Hold the ladder firmly when carrying it.
• Never store materials on your ladder.
• Keep your ladder clean and free from any foreign
matter.
• Clean the ladder after each use.
• Regularly check the partsand hinges of the lad-
der. Oil the hinges regularly, but do so carefully to
ensure no oil drips on the rungs or side rails.
For regular inspection, the following items shall
be taken into account:
– check that the stiles/legs (uprights) are not bent,
bowed, twisted, dented, cracked, corroded or rot-
ten;
– check that the stiles/legs around the fixing points
for other components are in good condition;
– check that fixings (usually rivets, screws or bolts)
are not missing, loose, or corroded;
24
– check that rungs/steps are not missing, loose,
excessively worn, corroded or damaged;
– check that the hinges between front and rear sec-
tions are not damaged, loose or corroded;
– check that the locking stays horizontal, back rails
and corner braces are not missing, bent, loose,
corroded or damaged;
– check that the rung hook sare not missing, dam-
aged, loose or corroded and engage properly on
the rungs;
– check that guide brackets are not missing, dam-
aged, loose or corroded and engage properly on
the mating stile;
– check that rubber feet/end caps are not missing,
loose, excessively worn, corroded or damaged;
– check that the entire ladder is free from contami-
nants (e.g. dirt, mud, paint, oil or grease);
– check that locking catches (if fitted) are not dam-
aged or corroded and function correctly;
– check that the platform (if fitted) has no missing
parts or fixings and is not damaged or corroded.
If any of the above checks cannot be fully satisfied,
you should NOT use the ladder.
For special ladder types, further items identified by
the manufacturer shall be taken into account.

Reasons for accidents

The following list of hazards and examples of their
causes, which is not exhaustive, are common rea-
sons for accidents encountered when using ladders
and are the basis on which the information in this
manual has been developed:
Loss of stability:
1. Incorrect positioning of the ladder (such as incor-
rect angle for leaning ladder or not fully opening a
standing ladder);
2. slide outwards at the bottom (such as bottom of
the ladder sliding away from the wall);
3. side slip, falling sideways and top flip (such as
overreaching or fragile top contact surface);
4. condition of the ladder (such as missing anti-slip
feet);
5. stepping off an unsecured ladder at height;
6. ground conditions (such as unstable soft ground,
sloping ground, slippery surfaces or contami-
nated solid surfaces);
7. adverse weather conditions (such as windy condi-
tions);
8. collision with the ladder (such as vehicle or door);
9. incorrect choice of ladder (such as too short,
unsuitable task).
From handling:
1. Transferring the ladder to the work position;
2. erecting and dismantling the ladder;
3. carrying items up the ladder.
Slip trip and fall of user:
1. Inappropriate footwear;
2. contaminated rungs or Stepps;
3. unsafe user practices (such as climbing 2 rungs at
a time, sliding down stiles).
Structural failure of ladder:
1. condition of the ladder (such as damaged stiles);