AS 1892.5:2020 – Portable ladders Part 5: Selection, safe use and care.
NOTE 2 Three points of contact are not required for ladders that incorporate a platform specifically designed for working on, e.g. platform stepladders, work platforms and some step stools.
NOTE 3 Examples of working on a ladder include using hand tools and passing objects to a person on the ground.
The user should not stand higher than the tread or rung indicated on the ladder as the highest standing level. The user should not stand —
(a) on the top cap or the top tread ofa self-supporting ladder;
(b) above the second top rung of a non-self-supporting ladder; or
(c) on the rear horizontal braces ola single-sided self-supporting ladder,
Ladders should be used for short duration, light duty manual tasks.
NOTE 4 Some tasks using bdders may be considered hazardous manual tasks under WHS legislation (e.g. Involving repetitive movement, sustained or awkward postures, sustained or repetitive lorces etc). The longer or more repetitive a task the more likely its is to be hazardous, and some ladders may be more ergonomically suitable to certain tasks than others. Guidance on managing risks of hazardous manual tasks Is not covered in this Standard but may be found elsewhere e.g. WHS Regulator guidance material.The ladder should he kept close to the work. The user should keep their centre of mass within the footprint of the ladder and not overreach. Inatead. the user should descend and relocate the ladder. A ladder should not be relocated while anyone Ls on the ladder. When using a ladder, the user should not push or poll unless the ladder Is properly secured.
When a self-supporting ladder is to be relocated, tools should be removed from the top cap before moving the ladder.
Users should not ‘walk” the ladder to reposition it. Instead, users should descend and relocate the ladder,
Where the ladder incorporates guardrails, users should not stand on these to gain extra height or lean against them to gain extra reach. Care should he taken when lifting items over the guardrails as the combined centre of mass of the user and the item they are holding can extend beyond the footprint of the ladder causing It to become unstable.
2.10 Movement on ladders
2.10.1 Numberofpersonsona ladder
Only one person should be on a ladder at a time. However, emergency conditions may necessitate a second person being on a ladder. In these circumstances, only one person should move at a time. A non- self-supporting ladder should be inclined to a steeper angle than that recommended in Clause 2.3, The ladder should be lashed in position.
Only one person should be on a ladder at one time during normal use.
Use of a second person on a ladder in an emergency scenario should only occur if an appropriate system of work has been developed prior that ensures the stability and integrity of the ladder under the emergency conditions. The system of work should be developed in consultation with the ladder manufacturer or in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The ladder should be lashed to prevent movement and only one person should move at a time. A non-sell-supporting ladder may need to be inclined at a steeper angle to minimize stile bending.
2.10.2 Number of ladders
Where frequency of traffic or other circumstances warrant, separate ladders should be provided for ascent and descent.
2.11 Step ladders
Double-sided step ladders should only be used in the fully open position. A single-sided stepladder may be used in the closed position by leaning it against a support. In this case, all of the load should be carried by the front stiles.
2.12 Trestle ladders
Trestle ladders should only be used in the fully open position.
Trestle ladders with a rung spacing that exceeds 300 mm should only be used when Incorporated into a scaffold system. Trestle ladders with a rung spacing of 300 mm may be used as a standalone ladder.
NOTE The additional rung spacing on some trestle ladders is to allow scaFFold planks to be Installed. The design and use of trestle ladder scaffolds should be in accordance with AS/NZS 1576.5.
2.13 Use of ladders to support working platforms
2.111 Self-supporting ladders
Only trestle ladders or multipurpose ladders configured as trestle ladders should he used to support a scaffold plank or platform upon which a person Is to work.
Use of these ladders when supporting planks or working platForms should he in accordance with
AS/NZS 1576.5.
2.13.2 Non sell-supporting ladders
Extension ladders or single ladders should not be used to support a plank upon which a person has to work.
NOTE This Standard no longer includes provision (or the use of ladder brackets that connect to the rungs and support a single plank.
2.13.3 Improper use
A ladder should not be used as a replacement for guys, braces, struts, beams, skids, bridges, ramps or gangways, or for any other use than that specified in the manufacturer’s instructions.