Page 75 - The City and Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1 for the Level 3 Apprenticeship (9189), Level 2 Technical Certificate (8202) and Level 2 Diploma (6035)

Chapter 1 Health and safety practices and systems

p Figure 1.39 A timber pole ladder p Figure 1.40 A roof ladder

Single-section ladders are usually made to Class 1 standard from lightweight
aluminium or timber. Timber standing ladders are made from Douglas fir,
redwood, white wood or hemlock. Lengths up to 10 m are available. These
ladders are often called standing ladders.

Multi-section ladders are often called extension ladders. They consist of two
or three sections that can be slid apart to give the required height. They are
available as two or three extensions and in various ‘closed’ lengths of 2.5 to
3.5 m. A double extension ladder can give a length of up to about 8 m and
should be suitable for most two-storey properties. Three-section ladders can
give lengths up to about 10 m.

On smaller ladders, the ladder may be extended by hand and secured with stay
locks, which rest on a selected rung. On larger ladders, the sections are extended by
means of a rope loop and pulley system running down the side of the ladder.

Multi-section ladders can be made of timber, aluminium and GRP.
Roof ladders: this type of ladder should always be used when working on a
pitched roof. It should ALWAYS be accessed from a scaffold, not a ladder. The
roof ladder has two wheels at the upper end, which allow it to be pushed up the
roof without damaging the slates or tiles. On the other side to the wheels, the
ladder is formed into a hook, which fits over the top ridge of the roof and stops
the ladder from slipping down the roof.
Crawlboards are used for working on fragile roofs. They help to spread the
weight across the roof to lower the risk of the roof giving way. They are used for
access only and are not intended for carrying tools or materials. They should be
used with extreme care.

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