Risk Assessment for Roof Ladders

Regardless of whether you are using roof ladders for DIY or as part of your work, to carry out the work as safely as possible it is best to be aware of the potential risks involved.  If you are using a roof ladder you should carry out a risk assessment for working at heights.  This will confirm that it is the best equipment for the job or not before commencing.

Once you have done this the next step is to analyse the potential hazards and then make a proper plan to carry out the work safely. You need to ensure that both the equipment and working areas are in a safe condition.  Also consider if there is any risk of falling objects and make sure that this risk is reduced.

Each year numerous injuries are caused by falls from ladders, as well as other working at height equipment such as catwalks, incomplete scaffolding and other vehicles.

In many cases these incidents are caused by poor selection, use or lack of maintenance of the equipment.  
Apart from the legal duty on the part of employers, the self-employed and any person who controls the work of others to ensure, you have the duty to protect your safety, the safety of your family, any passersby or any other people involved.  

Ask yourself:

• Is the work at height properly planned?
• Are the people working at height competent and/or supervised?
• Have the risks of working on or near fragile surfaces been suitably controlled?
• Has the equipment for working at height been properly inspected and maintained?            

The environment needs to be considered also in terms of potential incidents caused by falling objects, by accessing the work location and any overhead cables.

A detailed risk assessment should be carried out before commencing work on roof ladders, whether at work or at home.sider what you are wearing from a safety perspective. Stepladders are often seen as a normal addition to many homes and therefore the health and safety practices can be overlooked. Before using stepladders it is important to be wearing suitable attire for your safety. Check your footwear as this should be flat and firm-heeled shoes. Do not attempt to work on stepladders in your bare feet or wearing slippers. Never use stepladders while wearing high heels. The clothing you wear when working on a stepladder should be comfortable and loose. However it should not be loose to the point of catching in anything. Never wear a skirt or wide trousers when using step ladders as they are not safe attire for this type of work. If you wear tight fitting clothes such as jeans, it is best not to wear them while using a step ladder as they will restrict your movement and if very tight may affect your balance as you move. It is better not to wear jewellery either, especially chains or bracelets that could catch in your clothes. Ideally remove all jewellery before starting your work on a step ladder. A combination of comfortable, flexible clothing, which are neither too baggy or flowing, with no jewellery is the safe option to wear. Additionally consider your environment, checking that you are working on a flat, firm base with sufficient room. There should be no overhead hazards and no danger of someone entering your work space suddenly, for example through a nearby door and causing you to fall off the step ladder. You should cordon off your work area for extra safety. Stepladders UK should be used as safely in a home environment as they would be in a well-run workplace.