Page 76 - The City and Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1 for the Level 3 Apprenticeship (9189), Level 2 Technical Certificate (8202) and Level 2 Diploma (6035)

The City & Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1

Ladder safety check before use

Ladders, roof ladders and crawlboards should NOT be used if they have any of
the following defects:
● broken, missing or makeshift rungs
● broken, weakened or repaired stiles
● broken or defective ropes, guide brackets, latching hooks or pulley wheels
● they are painted; paint can hide defects on wooden ladders
● they have missing safety feet.

Raising and lowering ladders
Ladders should be raised with the sections closed. Extension ladders with long
sections should be raised one section at a time and slotted into position before
the ladders are used. TWO people are required to raise and lower heavier-type
ladders. The following is a step-by-step procedure for raising heavier-type ladders.

STEP 1 Lay the ladder flat. STEP 2 One person stands on the bottom rung of the
ladder and holds the stiles to steady the ladder as it
is lifted.

STEP 3 The second person stands at the other end STEP 4 This is continued until the ladder is upright.
of the ladder and lifts the ladder over their head, When erected, the correct safety angle is 75° or a
moving hand over hand, walking towards the foot, ratio of 4 up to 1 out.
raising the ladder as they go.
KEY POINT p Figure 1.41 Raising heavier-type ladders
Remember: ladders
must extend at least To lower the ladder from the upright position, the above process is reversed.
1 m above the working
platform. Lighter ladders can be raised by one person, but the bottom must be placed
against a firm stop before lifting is commenced.

Tying ladders

Ladders must have a firm and level base on which to stand and, if more than
64 3 m long, they must be fixed at the top or, if this is not possible, at the bottom.

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