Employees need training to use stepladders

Employers need to ensure that employees using stepladders, or undertaking other 'identified risk' receive proper explanations and training as to how to use them, following a recent case.

An employee - a school caretaker - had placed a stepladder flat against a wall, ie sideways on, rather than at right angles to it, to take down a wall display. He stood on the top platform and, as he braced his feet against it to remove the display, he pushed it away from the wall, so it fell, taking him with it.

He claimed inadequate training - he had had one training session during his induction. He had not been referred to anything on ladders in his caretaker's manual, or had practical instruction.

The court held that this was an identifiable risk, as the risk created by the ladder in one position as against another was not obvious, and the employer should therefore have communicated the risks in a memorable way. A practical demonstration was not necessary - although it would have been helpful - but there should have been a detailed explanation of the mechanism of the stepladder and how it could overturn.

Recommendation

Employers should ensure identifiable risks are actually identified and adequate, memorable training provided to guard against them.