By Ferdinand Munk – owner, managing director and standards expert of MUNK Group, member of standards committees of the German Institute for Standardization (DIN) and the European Committee for Standardization (CEN).
Again and again, accidents with ladders occur, especially in the professional environment. According to the employers' liability insurance association for wood and metal (BGHM), there were about 10,000 falls per year in which the affected persons fell from ladders or steps. Each of these accidents is one too much and it is all the more important that every user not only adheres to the relevant standards, but also thinks about occupational safety long before he goes up.
Proper use is critical
According to the BGHM, most accidents involving ladders result from improper use, with a long list of causes: Insufficient stability due to incorrect positioning, one-sided loading due to excessive lateral leaning, or the use of defective or low-quality conductors. Those who work with too much effort on the ladder also take a high risk.
The hazard assessment is always at the beginning
All of these causes can be easily excluded for the user. The crux of the matter here is the risk assessment, which is prescribed and essential before every use of a ladder or a step. The professional associations and the German statutory accident insurance (DGUV) make it unequivocally clear: Every user must look for alternatives to ladders and, in the event of a failure, use them, for example, steps, platforms, work platforms or even rolling scaffolds.
Always in accordance with the standards
Often, however, these alternatives are not practical or proportionate. Then the user has no choice but to use a ladder for safe ascent. The decisive factor here is to use only a ladder that is suitable for the upcoming job and, of course, also approved. The good news: All manufacturers offer a wide range of high-quality ladders that comply with the authoritative Technical Rules for Operational Safety (TRBS) 2121-2 and can therefore be used not only for ascent but also for work. As is well known, with a few exceptions, since 2018 it has been possible to work on steps or platforms instead of rungs.
The right ladder for every purpose
The manufacturers of climbing technology solutions have responded to the new requirements and have optimised their series range so that there are the right and also TRBS-compliant managers for every application. For some occupations, there are job-specific special managers that are both ergonomically and safety-related optimised. Here are just three examples: For tradesmen on the construction site, the suitable step construction pit ladder allows them to safely enter and out of the pit, while facade cleaners with their modular step glass cleaner ladder can reach working heights of up to seven metres in particular. For the electrical trade, there are special step ladders with GRP content, which are tested up to 60,000 volts (according to DIN EN 61478:2002).
Platform and podium ladders offer plenty of space
Platform and podium ladders are particularly suitable for use as a safe workplace: Here, the user stands firmly on a spacious area and has enough space and can even park tools or materials there. Depending on the version, these ladders can also be extended with safety doors, so that the user is protected from falling on all four sides. Platform ladders combine the mobility and ease of handling of ladders with the safety-relevant characteristics of scaffolds: They provide a secure stand, provide the necessary fall protection and are also mobile thanks to the wheels available as accessories. Especially practical: Pluggable models can be ideally adapted to the respective application height via their modular extensions.
Single-person scaffolds combine safety and handling
For long-lasting work at working heights of more than five metres, there is no way to pass scaffolding and platforms. This is why every premium manufacturer has a wide range of different types of rolling scaffolds in order to meet the requirements of the professionals. If you want to benefit from the full safety of a scaffold at the same time from smooth handling, so-called one-person scaffolds are ideal for you. These can be adapted very flexibly and mounted in a few simple steps with different platform levels. As the name suggests: It really takes only two hands to set up, modify and dismantle a one-person scaffold. Those who place particular emphasis on ergonomic handling can rely on so-called ergo platforms when equipping scaffolds, which weigh up to 40 percent less than conventional platforms.
Access equipment as a transport route: Secure access in confined spaces
Ladders may also be used as an access solution for higher workplaces, provided that: The difference in height may not exceed five metres for long periods of use, there is no fixed access as an alternative and the ladder must meet the requirements for transport routes. This means: Ladder tread surfaces should be anti-slip and handrails should be installed on both sides. In addition, either a conductor protrusion of one metre or an equivalent solution is urgently required at the point of exit. These can, for example, be clippable exit rails, which the premium manufacturers offer as accessories.
Modular access equipment: Flexible solutions increase security
Modular climbing technology solutions are particularly suitable for users in the event of changing locations or frequently varying requirements. Tradespeople, fitters or janitors in particular benefit from a wide range of solutions such as pluggable or telescopic ladders, modular platform systems, combinable step and platform solutions, or even flexible rolling scaffolds. You can assemble existing components according to your needs and thus react flexibly. Modular systems save space in transport, are quick to set up and offer a high level of safety. Of course, here too: The more precisely the product is adapted to the application, the more secure the work at the height becomes.
Stability is important
Whether as a workplace or transport route: The stability of the conductors always plays a central role in the risk assessment before use. Depending on the type of ladder, different tools are available: For stepladders, ladder shoes with 2-axis inclination technology have long been regarded as a benchmark, because this flexibility of the ladder shoe perfects the full-surface floor support. This ensures maximum stability. Convenient: Using the changing system, the ladder shoes can be easily adapted to different surfaces, such as smooth floors, grates or grown surfaces. For landing ladders with a length of more than three metres, the lower installation surface must be wider than the ladder itself, in accordance with DIN EN 131 This is usually solved by means of trusses, which are also available as a retrofit kit for existing ladders at most manufacturers.
More security in the package
It usually does not take much to make working on a ladder even safer and more comfortable. Well-known manufacturers offer a whole range of safety packages in their accessories. There you will find, for example, hanging steps and platforms or special step modules for ladder ladders, so that you can also work on ladder ladders in compliance with TRBS. Storage trays, tool racks, plug-in handrails and exit rails increase safety, as do holding brackets, gutter holders or hook fasteners.
Spreading protection for standing and multi-purpose ladders
Standing and multi-purpose ladders stand safely on the ground thanks to their conical design and integrated expansion locks. Chains, belts, platform lifters or snap-on joints are generally used as splays. They prevent the ladder legs from sliding apart.
Also secure the ladders to the head
Users can also ensure that the upper end of the conductor is stable, because with additional ladder head fuses available, they can additionally protect contact and sliding ladders, as well as cable and multi-purpose ladders against falls. The fuses can be mounted on the upper ends of the ladder rails with just a few simple steps and without tools, and are automatically adapted to the contact angle by means of integrated joints.
Slip resistance according to R13 standard: Factory and retrofit
Especially for working in wet, oil-smeared and dusty areas, the manufacturers offer high-quality access equipment anti-slip tread pads up to the highest rating group R13. Many step ladders are already equipped with the non-slip R13 coating at the factory or they can be upgraded to the R13 standard via suitable retrofit kits.
Standards and sources of information: Orientation for safe working
In order to be able to use your access equipment safely and in compliance with standards, users in the professional environment must always keep an eye on the technical and legal foundations: For ladders and climbing aids, these are the Ordinance on Industrial Safety (BetrSichV) and in particular the TRBS 2121 Part 2, the DIN EN 131 (parts 1 to 7); for fixed access, the DIN EN ISO 14122-4, DIN 18799-1 to -3 and DIN 14094-1. Employers and safety managers will find practical help, among other things, with the DGUV (e.g. information documents 208-016 and 208-032), with their responsible employers' liability insurance association or in the occupational safety and health programmes of BG BAU.
What leader should it be? Specialist retailers are helping.
Which conductors are suitable for which purpose? This question can best be clarified in the context of personal consultation at specialist retailers. The experts know the relevant standards, advise on product selection, point out application limits and suggest the appropriate combination options. Well-known climbing technology manufacturers are also happy to inform interested parties directly about their standard-compliant range. Plus: If there is no suitable solution in the series range, manufacturers can usually help with individually configured special constructions.
Take advantage of the training offered by the manufacturers
Manufacturers are also the first choice when it comes to training personnel in the use of managers. In the professional environment, each ladder must not only be inspected visually by the user before each use, but must also be checked in detail on a recurring basis. This is usually recommended at least once a year – by a person with the appropriate competence who is qualified for the examination. The certificate "Person qualified for examination for ladders and steps" can be obtained as an e-learning during one-day training courses or via a flexible, practical and interactive online seminar "Ladders and steps". These seminars are offered by a wide range of manufacturers. Interesting: Manufacturers must already list all components that must be checked regularly in the operating instructions for a ladder. As an additional service, they provide control sheets for the conductor tests – also for download.
