HEALTH AND SANITATION 33
The ladder should extend through the opening of the ceiling entrance and allow enough extra overhang to safely step from the ladder to the safe landing inside the ceiling .
For an A-frame ladder :
• The ladder is stable and has stable footing
• The ladder is set up correctly
• No tools or equipment can fall off
• It is the right ladder for the work you are doing ?
• Ensure three points of contact
• Only one person per ladder
• Ladders are designed as ‘ one man ’ working devices with sufficient strength to support one person as well as his tools
• It has been inspected and is safe to use
When checking your ladder :
• Are all the rungs , cleats , or steps in good condition ?
• Are the side rails intact without any cracks , bends or breaks ?
• Do the rungs , cleats or steps fit snugly into the side rails ?
• Is the ladder free of corrosion ?
• Are the side rails and steps free of oil or grease ?
• Are the ladder ' s hardware and fittings secure and undamaged ?
• Do moveable parts operate freely without binding or excessive play ?
• Are the ropes on extension ladders intact without fraying or excessive wear ?
• Are damaged ladders removed from service and marked ‘ do not use ’?
• Ladders should have a serial number , and all ladders must be placed on a register .
Ladders are great for work when set up and used in a safe manner .
Height Risk Area # 3 | Ceilings Not every ceiling is the same , and when we arrive on a site to perform work in a ceiling , we need to be very careful of the unknown and unseen dangers .
Let us look at a ceiling and see what we can plan for before even getting into a ceiling :
Access : Safe access means that we can have three points of contact from the ground all the way into the ceiling . We can easily get into and out of the ceiling void .
Restricted movement ( cramped space ): Often a ceiling does not have enough space for a person to stand upright . You will find yourself stooping or bending over to get to and from the access hatch and the work area . This could result in ergonomic strains and stressors , as well as limited workspace essentially creating a confined space .
Lighting : Some ceilings have a built-in light for post construction work , but this is not always the case , so ensuring you can see where to go and how to work is vital . Dark areas or shadows can cause a person to trip and fall , either to the same level or tragically through a ceiling to a lower level .
Dust and biological hazards : Ceilings are not known as areas where you could eat your lunch off a rafter . Rather , they are known to be dusty and full of potentially dangerous biological dangers such as bird or rodent droppings . When walking , traversing or working in this type of environment , you are likely to kick up some dust or agitate the area that could lead to inhalation of dangerous bacteria or viruses . These are only a few things that we could foresee as dangerous when work must be performed from a ceiling . This is why it is so important to perform a risk assessment prior to accessing a ceiling , so that you are prepared for any potential hazard . Once you have accessed the ceiling and found additional hazards , such as electrical cables , add these to the risk assessment by performing a Daily Supervisory Task Instruction ( DSTI ). Identify the risks and update the next set of ceiling work inspections with this information ,.
Height Risk Area # 4 | Scaffolding All scaffolding work must be performed in line with the SANS 10085 ( SABS 085 ) standard . It must be inspected by a competent person , erected by a competent scaffolding erection team and altered or changed to suit the work environment by the same personnel .
All scaffolding needs to be inspected every seven days , after inclement weather conditions , alterations or after an incident . This is then signed off on the scaffolding use tagging , which is a red tag to identify the scaffold as unsafe while being erected , dismantled or altered , and a green tag showing it ’ s safe to use .
Even though the scaffolding team has been trained in competency for the specific scaffolding being used , every user of the scaffold also has a responsibility to the use of the scaffolding , namely :
• Never alter or change the scaffolding
• Obey the fall protection plan
• Wear a harness where required and have 100 % hook off
• Never leave tools or equipment laying on platforms
• Never throw items from scaffolding
When it comes to a safe scaffolding , rather choose a contractor that will adhere to the standard and do not place your life in the hands of someone who does not respect safety .
Height Risk Area # 5 | MEWP ( Mobile Elevated Work Platforms ) The last heights activity a plumber may perform is the operation of a MEWP such as a cherry picker or scissors lift .
• Always be aware of your surroundings
• Never move the MEWP while in an elevated position
• Never exceed the safe working load
• Always ensure you are competent to operate the MEWP
• Inspect and regularly check the MEWP
Don ’ t take chances with hazards and risks on a site , adhere to the ‘ high-five ’ of working at heights and be prepared for the dangers . Excel and strive for safety brilliance ! PA
" The Construction Regulations 2014 would in effect still be applicable to any work that is done where an employee would be required to work on or from a roof ."
February 2025 Volume 30 I Number 12 www . plumbingafrica . co . za