FEATURE
FIX UP, LOOK SHARP
Russell Stuart at ZARGES explains how fixed ladders can prevent the costly consequences that can arise from put ting of f external building maintenance.
A building’s exterior can often be thought of as ‘out of sight out of mind’. It is therefore easy for businesses to become complacent about their maintenance. However, ignoring any maintenance issues need to change, as faults with a building’s exterior can have potentially catastrophic consequences, that can easily be can be prevented.
The physical risks are obvious when considering them, even if they’re difficult to see from ground level. Issues resulting from poor maintenance can result in an incremental build-up over months or years which could result in a situation such as a leaking roof unleashing a deluge that will flood your premises.
When a floodlight fails or a roof starts leaking, businesses have to spend hundreds of pounds a day to rent special equipment such as a mobile elevating work platform, a scaffolding tower or a cherry picker to reach the correct spot. The majority of costs incurred are from hiring people with the right skills and qualifications to operate the machinery.
The simple solution is to invest in fixed ladders which can reach previously-inaccessible places. The cost of an eight-metre fixed ladder is approximately £1,500, with an
14
extra £800 for installation. With these costs the investment would quickly pay for itself in comparison to hiring other access equipment later on, and are a fraction of the price of repairs.
Cost is not the only advantage. Fixed ladders improve safety and convenience. Installing a fixed ladder means not having to wait extensive periods of time for rented equipment to turn up.
Another key benefit of fixed ladders is that employees can be properly trained to use them, and once this is completed, they can access hard to reach places as needed. By standardising equipment across the site, workers are familiar with equipment, reducing the risk of accidents. This will ensure that there will be no ‘improvisation’ or use of unsuitable equipment.
Falls from height are still the number one cause of death and injury in the workplace. The UK’s Health and Safety Executive Health and Safety report states that such falls accounted for almost 6,000 non-fatal injuries in the 12-month period to the end of March 2016 – and 37 deaths. Businesses must take action to ensure no lives are lost due to poor equipment.
Fixed ladders can help to reduce these awful statistics by enabling
equipment to be installed or maintenance to be carried out safely and effectively even in inaccessible places.
With every ladder being different, businesses must select a manufacturer that is CE-compliant and provides equipment that is certified to the EN 1090 and EN 14122 standards. A custom-made ladder will ensure the equipment is best suited to your business’ access requirements. This need not take long – ZARGES, for example, has an online configurator that enables you to specify your needs and measurements. The price and drawings are available instantly and can be delivered within three to four days.
Annual or more frequent fixed ladder inspections are required by a technical expert to ensure operational safety. Keeping an inspection log with all the correct data for the fixed ladders in use is essential.
Having a fixed ladder will reduce costs, enhance safety, and ensure your building’s exterior need never be ‘out of sight or out of mind’. This may be one of the wisest and best investments for your business.
www.zarges.com/uk
www.accessladder.zarges.com
www.tomorrowshs.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50
