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Steel erection
Portable ladders
Portable ladders should be designed and constructed to meet the minimum requirements in AS1892 Portable ladders.
Types of portable ladders
Portable ladders are available in two grades:
- industrial
- domestic.
Never use a domestic grade ladder for industrial use. This is because it is not required to be as robust and strong as an industrial grade ladder.
Ladders can be constructed from:
- steel
- aluminium
- timber
- reinforced fibreglass.
Ladders are generally classified as being one (or a combination) of the following types:
- single ladders, available in lengths of up to 9m
- platform ladders, provide a stable platform for workers to stand on
- extension ladders, in two or more stages and available in maximum working lengths of up to 15m
- stepladders, available in lengths of up to 5.5m
- trestle ladders used to support scaffold planks and available in lengths of up to 5m.
Trestle ladders are not generally suitable for steel erection. But the other types of portable ladders can often be used for unslinging beams and for bolting up structural members.
How to inspect a ladder
Ladders should be visually inspected for serviceability by checking that:
- it has an Australian Standards approved label
- there are no cracks and holes in ladder structure
- rivets and bolts are not loose, broken or damaged
- the locking mechanism works
- rungs and styles are intact, not loose or damaged
- sliding mechanism works and holds the two together.
Damaged or unsound ladders should not be used until they have been repaired and passed re-inspection.
Do not use a ladder with any of the following faults:
- metal stiles are twisted, bent, kinked, crushed or with cracked welds or damaged feet
- rungs, steps, treads or top plates are missing, worn, damaged or loose
- tie rods are missing, broken or loose
- ropes, braces or brackets are missing, broken or worn.
Safety factors
When using portable ladders, follow these safety rules:
Placement
Place single and extension ladders at a slope of 4 to 1, and set up step ladders in the fully opened position.
Secure the ladder
Single and extension ladders should be footed by another person or secured at the top by a ladder bracket or other means. The base of the ladder should be secured by:
- pegging
- digging a small trench for the stiles to rest in, or
- a spotter using their foot .
Where possible, connect to an existing "ladder bracket".
Single and extension ladders should be footed by another person or secured at the top by a ladder bracket or other means. The base of the ladder should be secured by:
- pegging
- digging a small trench for the stiles to rest in, or
- a spotter using their foot .
Where possible, connect to an existing "ladder bracket".
Ladder bracket example
Example of ladder brackets
Electrical hazards
Do not handle or use ladders where it is possible for you or the ladder to make contact with power lines.
Metal or metal-reinforced ladders must not be used near live electrical equipment. If there's any risk of electrical contact, use wooden or fibreglass ladders.
Wooden fibreglass ladders
Doorways
Do not set up a ladder within the arc of a swinging door.
Ladders near an edge
Do not use a step ladder near the edge of an open floor or penetration. If the ladder topples, you could fall over the edge.
Do not set up ladders on scaffold platforms or EWPs to gain extra height.
Climb the ladder correctly
Always have two hands free to ascend and descend the ladder. Any materials or tools which can't be safely stowed on your belt should be transferred or hoisted to the work location separately.
Always face the ladder when climbing or carrying out work.
Correct way to climb a ladder
Your feet should never be higher than 900mm from the top of a single or extension ladder, or from the third tread from the top plate of a step ladder.
Third step on a ladder
One person per ladder
Do not have more than one person on the ladder at any time.
Do not work over other people.
Clearance from crane-lifted loads
Make sure there is no danger of crane-lifted loads trapping or striking you.
Don't overreach
Your belt buckle should be within the ladder's stiles throughout the work.
Hot work
Do not use a ladder for work involving restricted vision or hot work (such as welding or oxy-cutting).
The use of power tools on a ladder should not be allowed.