The Ladder Association adds to its Portfolio of Courses

The Association is pleased to announce the introduction of a new course, Working with Steps & Step Stools, which approved training centres can now run as part of its portfolio of courses.

As the title suggests, this new course ensures users are competent to use steps and steps stools in an appropriate and safe way. It comprises of both theory and practical assessments.

The Ladder & Stepladder and Ladder Inspection courses have also been revised, and are now available as half-day courses. The Ladder & Stepladder course is aimed at those who use ladders and stepladders frequently in the course of their daily duties. Ladder Inspection is aimed specifically at those whose duty is to inspect and maintain ladders and stepladders in the workplace.

What you should do to comply with the Work At Height Regs 2005

The Regulations apply to all work at height where there is risk of a fall that is liable to cause personal injury. They place duties on employers, the self-employed and any person who controls the work of others (such as facilities managers or building owners who may contract others to work at height).

As part of the Regulations, duty holders must ensure:

• all work at height is properly planned and organised

(i) those involved in work at height are competent
(ii) the risks from work at height are assessed, and appropriate work equipment is selected and used
(iii) the risks of working on or near fragile surfaces are properly managed
(iv) the equipment used for work at height is properly inspected and maintained

There is a simple hierarchy for managing work at height and selecting the appropriate access equipment.

Duty holders must:

• avoid work at height where possible, for example doing the work from ground level
• use work equipment or other measures to prevent falls, where work at height cannot be avoided
• use work equipment or other measures to minimise the distance and consequences of potential falls, where the risk cannot be eliminated

For more information, see: The Work at Height Regulations 2005.

Why Do I Have To Train My Employees?

Everyone who works for you needs to know how to work safely and without risks to health. TheHealth and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 requires you to provide whatever information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of your employees.

This is expanded by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, which identify situations where health and safety training is particularly important, for example, when people start work, or are exposure to new or increased risks and where existing knowledge, ability and competence may have become rusty or need updating.

You must provide training during working hours and not at the expense of your employees. Special arrangements may be needed for part-timers or shift workers. You need to assess the risks to your employees while they are at work and to any other people who may be affected by the way you conduct your business.

Like many employers, you may not be in a position to provide this training on your own, this is where Kentec Training can help. As a professional training provider we can ensure that your staff receive effective and relevant training and instruction. We can also offer training on Saturdays, early evenings or even night shifts when required.