SAFETY & TOOLS
Fixing the fixed ladders problem
Businesses might think that ‘out
of sight is out of mind’, but,
when it comes to the exterior of
a building, maintenance is often
overlooked, with potentially catastrophic
consequences. Russell Stuart at ZARGES,
explains why this shouldn’t be the case
and where fixed ladders can help
When a floodlight fails, or a roof
starts leaking, businesses often find that
the area is inaccessible without special
equipment, which is why they have to
hire a mobile elevating work platform,
scaffolding tower, or a cherry picker to
reach the right spot. These machines
can cost hundreds of pounds a day to
rent – and that’s not counting the cost
of an operator, should your business
lack someone with the skills and
qualifications to operate them.
There’s a simpler solution, which is
to invest in fixed ladders to reach these
previously-inaccessible places.
The cost of an 8m fixed ladder is
in the region of £1,500, with an extra
£800 for installation, meaning that the
investment would quickly pay for itself,
when compared to hiring other access
equipment over a period of time.
Cost is an important advantage, but
it’s not the only one. Investing in fixed
ladders also brings important benefits
in improved safety and convenience.
For example, with a ladder in place,
workers can access rooftops or other
hard-to-reach places whenever they
need to, rather than having to wait
days or possibly weeks for the right
equipment to turn up.
There are also important
implications for safety. Using a fixed
ladder can make it easier to reduce
or wholly avoid the risk of accidents,
since the business will always be
Not one but two new 18V LXT five-piece
brushless kits from Makita
Makita has introduced two new
18V LXT five-piece brushless kits.
TheDLX5042PTkit contains a
combi drill, impact driver, angle
grinder, rotary hammer and an
LED flashlight, and is packaged
as the five-piece construction kit
(pictured).
The second kit is
theDLX5043PT, which is suited to
woodworking applications. This
kit features the combi drill, impact
driver and flashlight, as contained
in the DLX5042PT kit, together
with a circular saw and jigsaw.
Both new Makita kits provide
a financial saving over buying
the products individually, and are
supplied complete with three 18V
5.0Ah Lithium-ion batteries and a
twin-port fast charger.
The tools are packaged in a
tool bag that has a shoulder strap,
handgrip and trolley wheels, as
well as an extendable handle for
ease of transport of your tools
whilst keeping them safe.
w www.makitauk.com
using the same item of equipment, and
thus doesn’t run the risk of workers
‘improvising’ and using inappropriate
equipment in a dangerous way.
It’s also important that businesses
select a manufacturer that is CEcompliant,
and provides equipment
that is certified to the EN 1090 and EN
14122 standards. It’s also wise to choose
a custom-made ladder that is suited to
your business’ access requirements.
There are a few other considerations
to bear in mind. First, any fixed ladder
must be inspected for operational
safety by a technical expert at
intervals appropriate for the operating
conditions. This inspection must be
carried out at least once a year by a
qualified expert. We also recommend
that every business keeps an inspection
log, comprising fixed ladder check
sheets which record all data concerning
the ladder.
All in all, it’s a very small price
to pay to ensure that you can access
important parts of your premises
whenever you need.
w www.zarges.com/uk
Are you prepared for the winter rain
and wind?
According to Snickers, you can
count on year-round comfort
and protection with the new
AllRoundWork waterproof jackets,
which are said to make your
working day easier and ‘more
comfortable’.
With lightweight and heavierduty
designs and styles for
professional tradesmen and
women, these jackets are 100%
waterproof. The insides are fully
sealed from the worst of the
weather and every seam is taped
or sealed. Even the pockets and
cu•s are specially designed to
keep the weather out and dry
warmth in.
There are many designs, styles
and extensive size options, so
you can select the right jacket for
you and your job. Snickers also
has a range of winter vests and
bodywarmers, as well as a body
mapping micro fleece available.
w www.snickersworkwear.co.uk
102 www.rcimag.co.uk November 2018
/www.makitauk.com
/uk
/www.snickersworkwear.co.uk
/www.rcimag.co.uk
