{"alias":"contentPage","byline":null,"standfirst":null,"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"sidebar","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E(FS320009) (Published May 2020, replacing February 2009)\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMany activities in Scouts, particularly those relating to maintenance on buildings such as Scout Headquarters and Campsites, involve some type of work at height. Other risky areas might include setting up activities, pioneering projects or even preparing for a fundraising fete.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAny work at height creates risks. Falls from height, even low level falls, can have serious consequences. So the first consideration when planning such work is to decide whether the work has to be done at height\u2026can a flag pole be lowered to free a trapped lanyard; can the notice board be re-painted after it has been taken down rather than doing it in situ?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf the work has to be done at height then consider how the risks of falling can be reduced. Hiring a scaffold platform, with a guardrail around it, to fix a guttering is a better option than trying to tackle the job from a ladder.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you choose to use a scaffold tower, ensure that it is erected by a competent person, who has been properly trained to do so.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESo before you undertake work at height\u2026\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EDecide whether you have to?\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EDecide what is the best work equipment to use?\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBy this stage you are already on your way to completing your\u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteers/staying-safe-and-safeguarding/risk-assessments/\u0022 title=\u0022Risk assessments\u0022\u003E\u00A0risk assessment\u003C/a\u003E. Other things you must consider are:\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIf someone needs to climb onto a roof, will it support them? Not just the one individual you planned for the job - but others that may come and join them plus any materials etc that are taken onto the roof.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAre there any sky-lights or other fragile material you could fall through?\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E\u00A0If materials need to be removed from height can they be safety lowered to the ground rather than thrown in a haphazard manner.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EDoes the work area need to be segregated by barriers so that passers-by are not at risk and vehicles cannot hit any of the work equipment?\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EProlonged use of ladders should be really seen as the last resort. This is because ladders slipping or failing is the cause of most falls from height. If after all the consideration and planning it is decided that a ladder is the most appropriate piece of work equipment then it is essential that you consider the following to reduce your risk:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ELadders should only be used for light work for no more than 30 minutes in any one position.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ELadders should not be used for work which requires effort or force such as use of electric drill, pulling cables / wires etc.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ELadders must be good condition with feet in good order. Users must conduct a visual check before using ladder.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ELadders must be secured before being used. Preferably use a securing hook to secure before climbing. In absence of securing hook, ladders should be secured by lashing at top [or bottom] before being used.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EPosition ladder 4:1 [75 degree] angle.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EBoth feet of ladder must be in contact with the ground / surface which is not slippery.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ERungs and footwear should be checked for grease and wetness before use.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EDo not over-reach. Always keep your knees within the uprights of the ladder. The user\u2019s body kept within the up-rights [stiles].\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EUsers should not stand above the top three rungs of the ladder.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EOnly one person to be on the ladder at any one time.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThree-points of contact must be maintained at all times [e.g. two feet, one hand]\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EDon\u2019t carry heavy or awkward shaped loads on a ladder.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ENever carry loads heavier than 25 kg \u2013 anything over 10 kg should be avoided if possible.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EA non-conductive ladder must be used when sources of live electricity are likely to be present.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAgain, when using step ladders most of the above applies but also remember: -\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EEnsure all locking devices are in working order.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EDo not work off the top three steps unless a safe handhold is available.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAvoid side-on working\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EDo not overreach \u2013 make sure that your belt buckle stays with the up-rights and that both feet are kept on the same rung or step throughout the task.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETop Tips:\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESo the secret of safe working at height is:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAvoid working at height if possible\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECarefully plan the work\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EConduct a thorough risk assessment\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ESelect the most suitable work equipment\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EEnsure adequate supervision of the work all the time\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EFollow the guidelines above\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]},{"items":[{"type":"Promo","cta":"Find out more","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.hse.gov.uk/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022HSE website\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Health and Safety Executive (HSE)\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cbr /\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHSE Infoline\u003C/strong\u003E \u2013 0845 345 0055\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#ffe627","title":"Further Information","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":"Guidance for the prevention of falls from heights within Scouting. 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