The thin edge of the wedge?

Watching a local news item on BBC Points West about political correctness,
it said that because of a European directive, as from next summer cleaning
windows from a ladder will be illegal. Does anyone know whether this ruling
(which I didn't even realise existed) will include other trades using
ladders, i.e. people who do electrical work and install aerials and
satellite equipment?

ivan wrote:
Watching a local news item on BBC Points West about political correctness,
it said that because of a European directive, as from next summer cleaning
windows from a ladder will be illegal. Does anyone know whether this ruling
(which I didn't even realise existed) will include other trades using
ladders, i.e. people who do electrical work and install aerials and
satellite equipment?

What are you supposed to use instead. A CE marked jet-pack ! ?

"ivan" wrote in message
...
Watching a local news item on BBC Points West about political correctness,
it said that because of a European directive, as from next summer cleaning
windows from a ladder will be illegal. Does anyone know whether this
ruling
(which I didn't even realise existed) will include other trades using
ladders, i.e. people who do electrical work and install aerials and
satellite equipment?


(Sorry for e-mail!)

I don't think window cleaning etc will be illegal.
The important thing is the ladder must be secured.

http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/www.h...docs/cd192.pdf

"Dennis Wynes" k wrote in
message ...

"ivan" wrote in message
...
Watching a local news item on BBC Points West about political
correctness,
it said that because of a European directive, as from next summer
cleaning
windows from a ladder will be illegal. Does anyone know whether this
ruling
(which I didn't even realise existed) will include other trades using
ladders, i.e. people who do electrical work and install aerials and
satellite equipment?


(Sorry for e-mail!)

I don't think window cleaning etc will be illegal.
The important thing is the ladder must be secured.

http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/www.h...docs/cd192.pdf

That should be

http://www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/cd192.pdf

I'm going back to bed!

On Sun, 12 Dec 2004 13:53:36 -0000, ivan wrote:

Watching a local news item on BBC Points West about political correctness,
it said that because of a European directive, as from next summer cleaning
windows from a ladder will be illegal.

Bloody hell, so you're the viewer! Politics Show (West) actually.

Does anyone know whether this ruling
(which I didn't even realise existed) will include other trades using
ladders, i.e. people who do electrical work and install aerials and
satellite equipment?

One presumes so. I think the HSE have decided ladders are unsafe and
people must be banned from using them.

"ivan" wrote in message
...
Watching a local news item on BBC Points West about political correctness,
it said that because of a European directive, as from next summer cleaning
windows from a ladder will be illegal. Does anyone know whether this
ruling
(which I didn't even realise existed) will include other trades using
ladders, i.e. people who do electrical work and install aerials and
satellite equipment?



amazingly it looks like it's true !

http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/forum/1289760801.html

D.

"Mark Carver" wrote in message
...
ivan wrote:
Watching a local news item on BBC Points West about political
correctness,
it said that because of a European directive, as from next summer
cleaning
windows from a ladder will be illegal. Does anyone know whether this
ruling
(which I didn't even realise existed) will include other trades using
ladders, i.e. people who do electrical work and install aerials and
satellite equipment?

What are you supposed to use instead. A CE marked jet-pack ! ?

I kid you not, the bloke had a huge (heavy?) telescopic plastic pole with a
sponge on the end, which appeared to be a bit of a struggle for both himself
and the 'Lady' interviewer when they both attempted to drop it onto the
pavement. It looked to me like a ladder represented less of a health and
safety hazard!

The EU directive text regarding the use of ladders says:
Page 137

Quote: 4.2.1. Ladders must be so positioned as to ensure their stability
during use. Portable ladders must rest on a stable, strong, suitably-sized,
immobile footing so that the rungs remain horizontal. Suspended ladders must
be attached in a secure manner and, with the exception of rope ladders, so
that they cannot be displaced and so that swinging is prevented.

4.2.2. The feet of portable ladders must be prevented from
slipping during use by securing the stiles at or near their upper or lower
ends, by any anti-slip device or by
any other arrangement of equivalent effectiveness. Ladders used
for access must be long enough to protrude sufficiently beyond the access
platform, unless other measures have been taken to ensure a firm handhold.
Interlocking ladders and extension ladders must be used so that the
different sections are prevented from moving relative to one another. Mobile
ladders must be prevented from moving before they are stepped on.

"Paul Ratcliffe" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 12 Dec 2004 13:53:36 -0000, ivan wrote:

Watching a local news item on BBC Points West about political
correctness,
it said that because of a European directive, as from next summer
cleaning
windows from a ladder will be illegal.

Bloody hell, so you're the viewer! Politics Show (West) actually.


I did originally see the item during the week on Points West, but was so
full of disbelief that I thought it was a wind-up! so I waited until the
Politics Show to make certain before I posted on the subject.



Does anyone know whether this ruling
(which I didn't even realise existed) will include other trades using
ladders, i.e. people who do electrical work and install aerials and
satellite equipment?

One presumes so. I think the HSE have decided ladders are unsafe and
people must be banned from using them.

"Ade" wrote in message
...
The EU directive text regarding the use of ladders says:
Page 137

Quote: 4.2.1. Ladders must be so positioned as to ensure their stability
during use. Portable ladders must rest on a stable, strong, suitably-sized,
immobile footing so that the rungs remain horizontal. Suspended ladders must
be attached in a secure manner and, with the exception of rope ladders, so
that they cannot be displaced and so that swinging is prevented.

Hrm, why would the 'operative' about to climb the ladder fail to check any of
the above, or wilfully put himself in danger? Seems like a vague way of
legislating common sense.


Az.