Free Ladder Safety Inspection Checklist For Your Workplace

For many short-duration tasks, ladders are undoubtedly the most suitable piece of access equipment: they’re relatively cheap, easy to handle and can be used by almost anyone with a bit of suitable training

However, using a ladder also has its dangers! If your ladder isn’t positioned correctly, regularly inspected or used appropriately then accidents are likely – did you know that last year alone around 567,000 working days were lost due to falls from height?

Before you set foot on the first rung, whether it be to paint a wall, clean a window or reach a shelf, make sure you tally up your task against the following safe ladder procedures and ensure you stay safe:

Assess the risks
☐ Is a ladder the most suitable equipment for the task? Ladders are recommended only for short-duration, low-risk tasks
☐ Will the task last longer than 30 minutes? If so, another form of work at height equipment may be more suitable
☐ Is the person using the ladder competently trained?
☐ Does any personal protective equipment, such as gloves and a hard hat, need providing to the user to enhance their safety?
☐ Are you using the right ladder for the job? 

Check your footing
☐ Is the ladder placed on firm, level ground? Sloping, unsolid or moveable ground can cause the ladder to slip when in use
☐ Are there hazards around the base of the ladder that need removing, such as wet leaves, oil or mud?
☐ Do the ladder’s rungs run parallel (horizontally) with the floor?
☐ Is the ladder fixed at regular intervals or do you have a stability device in place to prevent it from slipping and falling?
☐ Is the top of the ladder resting against a strong surface, such as a brick wall? Weak surfaces, like plastic guttering and glass, can easily break and so should be avoided
☐ Is the ladder at a 75° angle – 1 unit out for every 4 units up? If this angle cannot be obtained then do not use the ladder

Do an inspection
☐ Has the ladder been checked for defects before use?
☐ Are the rungs and stiles bent or damaged? If so, remove the ladder from use
☐ Are the feet missing, worn or damaged? If so, remove the ladder from use
☐ On a stepladder, does the locking mechanism engage fully? If not, remove the ladder from use
☐ Are the steps or feet contaminated with dirt? If so, remove the ladder from use and ensure it is properly cleaned before using
☐ Has a regular formal inspection of the ladder been done? Are there records of this to show any defects that were found?

Climb the ladder with care
☐ Are you ascending and descending the ladder one rung at a time?
☐ Are you facing the direction of the rungs when climbing?
☐ Are you moving too quickly? Quick climbing can cause the ladder to ‘bounce’ and lose footing so always move slowly
☐ Can you maintain 3 points of contact at all times, i.e. two feet and one hand?
☐ Are you overreaching or leaning sideways to reach your task? If so, reposition the ladder so that it’s face on to the work activity or select a ladder with greater height
☐ Are you carrying items up the ladder? If so, use a tool belt to ensure your hands are free to grip the ladder as you climb

Once all of the above have been considered then you should be ready to start your task – the key point is to always assess the situation, inspect the ladder and climb with care. If your workers require ladder safety training, contact us today.

Fire Safety Tips for Australian Business Owners

No matter the type of business you conduct at your workplace, fire safety should always be a main concern. Here are a few fire safety tips you can distribute to your staff:

•   Install a fire detection and warning system – the alarm can be raised automatically but if the system is manual, all employees should be taught how to operate the alarm.

•   Check your fire escape routes – they must take people to a safe place, be well-labelled, have good lighting and be designed in accordance with the Building Codes.

•   Nominate a fire warden – have one person (or more if needed) to be in charge of creating and enforcing fire safety procedures and ensuring that everyone knows what to do and where to find fire-fighting equipment.

•   Introduce evacuation procedures – in cases of emergency, everyone must be able to escape safely. Use your fire wardens to ensure people leave calmly and by the most direct route.

•   Use emergency lighting – all emergency routes and exits must be well-lit. Include lighting at each door, corridor, change of direction, staircase, change in floor level and next to all fire-fighting equipment and alarms.

•   Know your fire extinguishers – make sure you understand the different types of fire extinguisher available and have the correct ones stored in the appropriate places.

•   Check your fire safety signs – are the signs displayed clear, unambiguous and suitable for those with poor vision or lack of English language skills? Replace signs where necessary and ensure that they are well-lit and easy to understand.

•   Prepare an emergency plan – every employer must prepare an emergency plan covering things such as: the actions employees must take on discovering a fire, warning systems, evacuation procedures, fire warden duties etc.

•   Train your employees in fire safety – all staff must be instructed in how to raise the alarm, evacuation procedures and where fire-fighting equipment is kept. Without this knowledge, cases of fire have the potential to become even more serious.

•   Hold regular fire drills – practice your fire drill at least annually but more frequently if appropriate to ensure all employees know what to do and where to go.

ISOsafe can develop tailored Evacuation Procedures, Evacuation Plans/Diagrams for your workplace. We also offer a range of Emergency Preparedness training options such as; annual fire drills at your facility. 

Benefits of Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSAS 18001)

OHSAS 18001 is the British Standard for Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S / WHS). It is an internationally applied and recognised system for the management of Occupational Health and Safety. OHSAS 18001 aligns with the structure and requirements of the popular ISO 9001 and ISO 14001; this means, organisations already certified to the ISO 9001 and/or ISO 14001 Management Systems Standards can become OHSAS 18001 certified with little effort.

Perhaps the most important and attractive feature of implementing an OH&S Management System (OHSAS 18001) is the ability to advertise of a safe working environment. There are many benefits to implementing an OH&S Management System, such as:

•    Improving corporate image and credibility among stake holders, regulators, customers, prospective clients and the public
•    Adoption of international best practice in relation to risk management
•    Ensure health and well being of employees, sub contractors and the public
•    Minimisation of liability of employers through adoption of proactive rather than reactive controls
•    Ensuring legislative awareness and compliance
•    Reducing accident and incident rates by reducing and elimination workplace hazards
•    Improving the incident investigation process
•    Improving employee motivation through the provision of a safer workplace and participation process

For further information on OHSAS 18001 or the certification process, contact us today.

How Health Risk Management programs can increase productivity in your business

Implementing a Health Risk Management (HRM) program to mitigate workforce health risks can save employers spending on health and improve worker productivity.

On average ISOsafe's HRM programs provide savings of $2.03 for every $1 invested. The savings offset the increased costs of compliance. 

Examples of initiatives within a HRM program include:
•    Workday fitness activities such as walking challenges
•    Exercise programs available at the workplace
•    Sponsored or discounted fitness memberships or on-site fitness centre
•    Lunch and learn health programs (healthy cooking, disease education, etc.)

The success of any HRM program is largely based on employee engagement. Some rewards to encourage participation and achievements can include:
•    Paid time off – can be as little as an early out Friday or paid half or full days off
•    Cash equivalents – small cash incentives or gift cards or drawings for same
•    Merchandise – company t-shirts, health-specific merchandise (FitBit, pedometer, etc.)
•    Travel/Tickets – drawings for premium items such as weekend trips or concert tickets

Implementing a HRM program at your workplace can reduce expenses related to:
•    Absenteeism
•    Presenteeism
•    Productivity
•    Creativity
•    Insurance premiums
•    Legal Compliance

While you’re creating a healthier and happier workforce, look to ISOsafe for help with enterprise risks.

Non-government disability service providers and the law

Members of the National Disability Services (NDS) have very specific Work Health & Safety (WHS), Environment & Quality reporting requirements. 

As an employer, every non-government disability service provider is legally obliged to exercise a duty of care to protect their workers (including any volunteers and contractors) against potential WHS risks. Risks to disability support workers include:
•    manual handling, such as heavy lifting;
•    slips, trips and falls;
•    bullying and harassment;
•    electrical safety, for example from damaged equipment; and
•    use of chemicals, such as for cleaning and laundry.

ISOsafe can assist non-government disability service providers with WHS Management Systems & training, as well as, the upkeep of benchmarking data,  general policies, and record keeping.

For expert advice on DisabilityCare Australia (National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)), Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act), Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 and anti-discrimination legislation contact ISOsafe today.