GUIDELINES ON LADDER SAFETY
1. GENERAL

All ladders used in the University shall be designed, constructed, used and maintained according to relevant Australian Standards and WorkCover NSW guidelines.
Wherever ladders are required to provide access to places where people need to work, they shall be provided and be properly maintained.
2. PLACEMENT

Ladders, including step ladders, shall be placed so that each side rail (or stile) is on a level and firm footing and so that the ladder is rigid, stable and secure.
The side rails (or stiles) shall not be supported by boxes, loose bricks, or other loose packing.
No ladder shall be placed in front of a door opening towards the ladder unless the door is fastened open, locked or guarded.
Wherever possible, ladders shall be used at such an angle that the horizontal distance from the foot of the ladder to the structure the ladder rests against is one quarter (1/4) of the length of the ladder.
Whenever possible, a ladder used as a place from which a person has to work shall rise to a height of at least 1 m above the highest rung upon which the person must stand to work. If a height of 1 m above the working height cannot be achieved, then the ladder should reach as far as possible above the level at which the person is required to work.
Every ladder or run of ladders rising a vertical distance of 6m or more shall be provided with an intermediate landing place or places so that the vertical distance between any two successive landing places is not more than 6 m.
Ladders shall rise to a height of at least 1 m above any landing place for people using those ladders.
Where a ladder passes through an opening in the floor of a landing place, the opening shall be as small as is reasonably practicable.
A ladder placed such that its top end rests against a window frame shall have a board fixed to its top end. The size and position of this board shall ensure that the load to be carried by the ladder is evenly distributed over the window frame.
3. SECURING

Ladders shall be securely fixed at the top and foot so that they cannot move either from their top or from their bottom points of rest. If it is not possible to secure a ladder at both the top and bottom then it shall be securely fixed at the base. If this is not possible, then a person should stand at the base of the ladder and secure it manually against slipping.
Ladders set up in public thoroughfares or other places (where there is potential for accidental collision with them) must be provided with effective means to prevent the displacement of the ladders due to collisions, for example, use of barricades.
4. USE

Only one person at a time may use or work from a single ladder.
Always face the ladder when ascending or descending it.
Keep three limbs on the ladder at any one time, ie both hands and one foot or both feet and one hand.
Carry tools in a tool belt, pouch or holster, not in your hands, so you can keep hold of the ladder.
Wear fully enclosed slip resistant footwear when using ladder.
Do not climb higher than the third rung from the top of the ladder.
When working from a ladder, always work within an easy arm's reach from the ladder.
Don't "walk" a ladder whilst standing on it. Get down off the ladder to move it to another location.
Do not use a ladder or step ladder if:
- there is a missing or a weakened, broken or otherwise defective rung or tread, or a broken or defective stile; or
- any rung or tread depends for its support solely on nails, spikes, or other similar fixing device.
Only a "trestle ladder" shall be used to support a plank upon which a person has to work.
Ladders made by fastening cleats across a single rail or stile shall not be used.
No metal ladder and no ladder reinforced with wire shall be used in the vicinity of any electrical conductor or of any electrified equipment or apparatus that may result in a person receiving an electric shock.
Ladders shall not be joined together to form a longer ladder. Extension ladders should conform to the requirements of AS/NZS 1892.1. Maximum lengths of ladders are listed in AS/NZS 1892 parts 1, 2 and 3.
A ladder shall not be used as a guy, brace, tom, strut, beam, skid, or for any use other than its correct use as a ladder.
When there is significant traffic on ladders used for building work, separate ladders for ascent and descent shall be provided, designated and used.

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Combination Ladder

Combination Ladder