ACCESS LADDERS Sample Clauses

ACCESS LADDERS. Any fixed ladder providing access and egress should be inspected as a part of the scaffold by a competent person. Between uses, test for sound construction by: • Taking each end of the ladder in turn and trying to push the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ apart and then together. Movement will indicate insecurely fixed rungs and loose tie rods. • Laying the ladder flat, raising one end and attempting to push one stile while pulling the other. If the ▇▇▇▇▇▇ can be moved relative to each other, the rungs are loose. • Tapping timber rungs with a mallet. A dull sound indicates a defective rung. FIGURE 13.9(A) FAULTS IN TIMBER SCAFFOLD PLANKS COPYRIGHT FIGURE 13.9(B) FAULTS IN METAL SCAFFOLD PLANKS Any ladder that is damaged or unsound should be removed from service, until it has been repaired and has passed re-inspection. Condemn a ladder if any of the following faults exist: • Timber ▇▇▇▇▇▇ are warped, splintered, cracked or bruised. • Metal ▇▇▇▇▇▇ are twisted, bent, kinked, crushed, have cracked welds or have damaged feet. • Rungs, steps, treads or top plates are missing, worn, damaged or loose. • Tie rods are missing, broken or loose. • Ropes, braces or brackets are missing, broken or worn. • Timber members, apart from narrow identification bands, are covered with an opaque paint or any other treatment that could disguise faults in the timber.