Keeping ladder users safe during COVID-19 outbreak
Guidance for health and safety professionals, managers, supervisors and employers
Version 2 – published 2 July 2020
Working at height has always involved an element of risk, which is why it’s so important that people are trained to use ladders safely. During Ladder Association courses, they learn how to work safely, in a way that minimises the risk of falls and injuries.
But there’s now a new risk to consider, of course, and that is the spread of coronavirus. While COVID-19 is rightly topping the health and safety agenda at the moment, height safety remains as crucial as ever. This guidance will help you keep ladder users safe from falls and coronavirus in the workplace and reassure you of the measures our training centres will be taking to teach healthy habits and protect them during courses.
This guidance will not tell you exactly what to do. The truth is there’s no one-size-fits-all answer and it depends on your individual business and circumstances. For example, the resources available to you and the country you’re in. However, it will help you make your own plan for keeping ladder users safe within your own business. It’s a starting point to help you figure out what you need to do.
Before we go any further, we’ll clarify that no one at the Ladder Association is an expert on COVID-19 or minimising the risk of it spreading. We have based this guidance on our own interpretation of publicly available information from official sources in the UK that to the best of our knowledge and belief, were up-to-date and accurate at the time of writing.
We’ll also point out that our guidance relates only to the use of ladders. It’s not intended to help you plan more generally for keeping staff safe in other areas of your business.
Please refer to this guidance when planning for a safe return to using ladders in your workplace, but do not rely on it over and above official sources.
Ladders should only be used when you’re satisfied the work can be done safely and when government guidelines for your country permit it to happen.
1. General considerations
This section explains some key principles that should guide your approach.
1.1 Follow government guidance
Familarise yourself with the government guidance in your country, and follow it. It is likely to change regularly and it’s important you keep on top of your responsibilities and good practice. These links will help: England | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
1.2 Hygiene and cleaning
It’s in everyone’s interests that you facilitate good hygiene practices, for example by providing hand washing facilities (soap and water) and alcohol-based hand gel. Remind workers to cough and sneeze into their elbow or a tissue, dispose of used tissues immediately and to avoid touching their face. This is especially important when materials are being passed from one person to another or where your workers are on another company’s premises.
Consider how frequently you deep clean your own facilities, including vehicles, door handles, desks, chairs, toilets, lift buttons, handrails and equipment. We have some specific pointers relating to cleaning ladders, which you’ll find later in this document.
When you have workers on a job at another company’s premises, ask them what hygiene facilities and cleaning regime they have in place.
Safety & Health Practitioner published guidance on selecting and using the correct disinfecting chemicals and methods, which you may find helpful.
1.3 Social distancing
We’re all getting used to staying apart from others and this rule applies in the workplace just as it does in the supermarket or park. In the UK, government advice is to stay 2 metres (2m) apart wherever possible and that’s what our guidance is based on. However, different distances are recommended in different parts of the world and so you should check local guidelines.
Think of all the areas your workers visit between arriving and leaving your workplace or site, including toilets, vehicles, break areas, storage areas, smoking areas, prayer rooms and corridors. Walk through their journey from one area to another. What will you have to change to ensure they can stay apart from each other? How can you make it easier for them to comply? For example, removing extra chairs from break areas, introducing one-way systems and using floor stickers to mark out suitable distances.
Identify any points when you cannot facilitate the recommended distance. You must find ways to minimise the time that will be spent in closer contact and mitigate the risk by taking other precautions, for example have people side by side or facing away from each other, rather than face-to-face. Please follow government guidance carefully.
When workers are doing a job at another company’s premises or in public, remind them to keep their distance from everyone around them.
1.4 Communication
Tell your workers about the measures you’ve put in place to ensure their safety. Give them clear instructions for what to do on arrival at work, for example what time to get there and what entrance to use. Explaining what will happen should help put their mind at rest and ensure everything runs smoothly. You could highlight what hygiene facilities are on site, remind them of good hygiene practices and ask them to stay apart from others.
Tell them not to come to work if they should be self-isolating because they or a household member have experienced coronavirus symptoms.
Go over the rules and procedures with them regularly.
1.5 Face coverings and gloves
You might decide that the use of face masks, shields or gloves would offer some protection for your workers during any short periods when social distancing is impossible.
They may wish to wear these items for their own peace of mind, even if you do not recommend or require it.
1.6 If someone is unwell
Send workers home if they show symptoms of coronavirus, whether this is apparent on their arrival or symptoms develop during the day.
Consider putting up signs asking people not to enter the premises if they have symptoms. Plan how you will respond if someone does start displaying symptoms. Consider what you’d do if they needed medical attention or to be collected by someone else.
Consider what you might have to do if someone with coronavirus has been on your premises. ACAS says that the workplace does not necessarily have to close in those circumstances, but you should follow cleaning advice.
You may be required to report cases of COVID-19 under RIDDOR.
1.7 Breaks and welfare facilities
Government advice for workplaces is that “staff should be encouraged to bring their own food.” You could also ask them to bring their own drinks, e.g. flasks of tea. Social distancing needs to be in place during break times. If space is limited, the government suggests this could be achieved by extending and staggering breaks.
Consider what toilets, smoking areas and prayer rooms workers have access to and how you can ensure cleanliness and avoid queues or crowding. Ensure there are sufficient facilities, even when social distancing is maintained, and use clear signage to direct them around the site.
1.8 Ventilation
The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advises that good ventilation can help reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus. Where possible, open windows and doors to increase the supply of fresh air. You can also use ceiling fans or desk fans to improve the circulation of outside air and prevent pockets of stagnant air in occupied spaces.
2. Ladder Association training
Height safety remains as important as ever during the coronavirus outbreak. While initially suspended, Ladder Association training is starting to resume in areas where government guidelines allow and the training centre is satisfied they can do it safely. Centres are taking every measure possible to protect delegates from coronavirus so they can continue to train them in the safe use of ladders. As always they’re teaching workers how to prevent falls and injuries back at their workplace, but while doing so they’re also now demonstrating methods of work that reduce the spread of COVID-19. To book a course, whether for now or in the future, contact your nearest training centre.
2.1 Increased measures - what to expect
We’ve made a series of recommendations and suggestions to centres on how to adapt our courses and their facilities during this period, including:
> Social distancing measures
> Offering online theory sessions
> Clear communication with delegates and clients
> Increased hygiene and cleaning
2.2 e-Learning
Most Ladder Association training involves a theory session followed by a practical session, which is the part where delegates get their hands on some ladders.
The theory session for our most popular courses can be completed online, from a home computer, tablet or smartphone, in advance of the practical. It’s a series of videos and knowledge checks that the delegate works through at their own pace, delivered by an experienced instructor. Once completed, they receive a certificate to take with them to the training centre where they’ll complete a written assessment and practical session – currently they’ve got up to 90 days to do that part, but we’ll extend this if it becomes necessary. When that’s successfully done, they’ll receive their LadderCard.
e-Learning allows people to make great progress towards a Ladder Association qualification, even if they’re unable to complete the practical segment just yet. It also minimises the contact time needed when they do go to a training centre. It’s a good option for employees in the UK who are on furlough too, as they can still do training (and in fact should be encouraged to do so).
The courses that currently have e-learning modules available are Ladder User and Ladder Inspection. To book a course that includes an e-learning module, contact your nearest training centre.
2.3 Advice for those whose LadderCard is about to expire
During the coronavirus outbreak, we can extend LadderCards for up to 90 days to avoid them expiring, if the cardholder can’t get to a training centre. To qualify, they need to book a place on a future Ladder Association training course and complete the theory section in our Online Training Portal. When they finish the theory section, we’ll extend their card for 90 days.
We will not issue a new card, but you will be able to verify the extension by viewing the card online.
When it’s safe to visit a training centre, they’ll go there to complete the written assessment and practical session. When that’s done successfully, their card will be extended by the normal five years.
At the moment delegates are allowed a maximum of 90 days in between the theory and practical. However, we’re keeping this limit under review and will extend if it becomes necessary.
To arrange an extension, contact your nearest training centre.
3. Working on ladders
We will now talk specifically about working on ladders in a work environment.
3.1 Risk assessment
Review your risk assessment and update it to acknowledge the additional risk presented by coronavirus, for example a potentially delayed response from emergency services.
3.2 Rescue plan
Review your rescue plan. If someone became ill or injured while working at height and needs to be rescued, your plan likely involves close contact between that person and the rescuer. Acknowledge the additional risk this now presents. Consider what you would do if there was an extended wait for an ambulance or you had to drive them to hospital.
3.3 Social distancing on ladders
Only one person is allowed on a ladder at a time, so physical distancing isn’t a problem most of the time. However, there are a couple of exceptions that you will need to consider carefully:
Stabilising a ladder
Footing is the least effective means of stabilising a ladder, so it should only ever be used as a last resort. It involves workers being physically close, so the current situation provides another reason to avoid it. Instead, if you can, tie the ladder to a secure point to prevent it slipping. This is the most effective method and it also allows social distancing to be maintained.
If the only way you can stabilise a ladder is by footing, you will need to consider this point carefully in your risk assessment.
Raising the ladder
Working with heavy and large ladders sometimes requires two people. That’s not so much a problem when carrying the ladder as you will be positioned at each end, so automatically distanced. But when it comes to raising the ladder, think of alternative strategies and positioning that avoids face-to-face contact in close proximity. But the solution is not just using fewer people!
You may find that rope operated ladders are a useful alternative. The height of these ladders can be adjusted using a rope pulley system.
How long does the virus that causes coronavirus live on ladders? We don’t know, but we’ve seen some evidence that it lasts longest on shiny, hard surfaces such as plastic and stainless steel – up to 72 hours, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Consider deep cleaning your ladders and how regularly you might do this. If you hire equipment, get it from a Ladder Association member who will be able to advise on their cleaning regime and other safety precautions.
Remind workers not to touch their face while using ladders and tell them to wash their hands before and immediately afterwards, even if they’ve been wearing gloves. This is especially important if the same ladder or materials will be handled by multiple people.
In the UK, the Health and Safety Executive says that equipment and work stations should be cleaned between uses.
4. Final points
4.1 Useful sources
> Social distancing, keeping businesses open and in-work activities during the coronavirus outbreak (Health and Safety Executive)
> Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19 (World Health Organisation)
> Coronavirus: advice for employers and employees (ACAS)
> The HSE has a Working Safely helpline where you can get help and advice on how to protect people from coronavirus in your workplace
> Site operating procedures protecting your workforce during coronavirus (Construction Leadership Council)
> Working safely during coronavirus outbreak (Heath and Safety Executive)
> Air conditioning and ventilation during the coronavirus outbreak (Health and Safety Executive)
> Risk assessment tool for businesses in England (UK Government)
4.2 Suggest an amendment
We want your feedback on this guidance. Is it helpful? Is there anything missing? Have we got anything wrong? Have you found any innovative approaches that you want us to share with others? If you have photos of ladder users socially distancing at your workplace, that would be even better.
Please let us know about any specific points in ladder usage where you think social distancing will be a challenge. We will be updating and evolving this guidance as time goes on and are keen to find solutions to any problems.
Email your feedback to marketing@ladderassociation.org.uk.
4.3 Record of amendments
Version 1 – published 5 June 2020
Version 2 – published 2 July 2020 (updated to include some additional sources that we thought would be helpful and bring it up-to-date with the latest government guidance in the UK)
