The Caretakers' Forum

My cleaners have asked me to get a three step, step ladder for them to use occasionally.

Am I needing to get a step ladder to any standard for their occasional use. I know trade use EN131 standard. Is that required for this use in the workplace ?

It will need to be a EN131 Professional standard, lots of guidance here https://ladderassociation.org.uk/standards/

Worth checking training requirements too, most schools require anyone who is going to use a ladder to be trained, with cleaners can it be avoided? Long reach dusters, extensions to vacuums etc.

Cheers for the reply. They are thankfully all trained which is the good thing. They are used for putting small amounts of washed items away in a laundry type room. A space that isn't huge but equally ergonomically challenged. A foot stool isn't quite tall enough for the job.

I thought they might have to be so thanks for confirming. Now looking at the diff in EN131 for trade and EN131 for the home. Why do they make it such a min field lol.

All clearer here for anyone else who is interested :-)

https://ladderassociation.org.uk/wp-con ... rsion2.pdf

Will an upside down milk crate not do the trick?

TheTusk wrote: ↑8th Mar 2024 at 8:26am Will an upside down milk crate not do the trick?

They stack really well to reach higher.. Ask a plasterer.

I have two step, step ladders. Each part of the building has one and they are on my ladder list- these are for general use by CO's/TA's etc. I have a 3 step, and that has to be requested to use (like for putting a display up whilst generally the two step is used). Cleaners should ideally not need a ladder, if they can't reach then consider extension poles etc. I personally chose to do the higher things if need be, in holidays and with the taller ladder as I am trained. This is my opinion and might not be agreeable to all.
I was told on training that 2 step for all is fine, even though it is officially working at height.
I also believe that a chair on a wonky table is reasonable to some CO's