Ladder & Access Equipment Inspection and Tagging
Ladders are involved in a large share of falls from height. Here is what inspection and tagging Irish law expects.
Under Irish Safety, Health and Welfare at Work legislation, ladders and other access equipment must be maintained in a safe condition and inspected at suitable intervals by a competent person, taking account of the equipment, its use, conditions of work and the manufacturer's instructions. Regular pre-use checks should also be carried out by users, with any defects recorded, assessed and acted upon. Where equipment is exposed to conditions that could cause deterioration or where exceptional circumstances may affect its safety, an inspection should be carried out as soon as practicable. This supports the employer's duty to provide and maintain safe work equipment.
The inspection regime
Ladders and access equipment require checks before use and regular recorded inspections.
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01
Pre-use check
By the user, every time (stiles, rungs, feet, locks).
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02
Formal inspection
Visual inspections by a trained Competent, weekly or monthly according to your risk assessment.
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03
Tagging
A tag records the inspection status so users can see the equipment is safe.
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04
Mobile tower tagging
Mobile towers must be inspected after assembly and at regular intervals.
Does mobile scaffolding need to be tagged?
There is no law that says 'must be tagged', but mobile towers must be inspected after assembly and at regular intervals, and tagging is the accepted way to display that a tower has been inspected and is safe to use. Untagged or 'do not use'-tagged towers should not be used.
We supply ladder tags, scaffold tags and access equipment - see our Ladders & Platforms range.
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