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Safety mobile access steps for the workplace
Access to heights using mobile access steps and equipment
Notes for guidance: provision and use of mobile access steps for safe access to heights.
When accessing shelving, storage or equipment at a height greater than the normal standing eye height of the operator, suitable height access equipment should be made available and used.
Mobile access safety steps
When mobile access steps are provided, they should be of sufficient strength, height and stability for the intended task
Height of steps
The height of mobile access safety steps should bring the working height of the accessed position to be level with or below the operator’s normal standing eye height; ie. No further stretching or lifting should be required.
Hand rail support
The use of single or two step equipment ‘may’ be used without further hand rail support, but is always preferable to supply and use equipment with at least a grab rail to one side; better is a rail on both sides, so that right and left handed operators have equal facilities.
Mobile access steps with more than two rises should have hand rails to both sides and a cross rail between the side rails on the top platform. The only exception being when the steps are to be used beside solid racking that can provide the hand support to one side.
Mobility
All castors or wheels on mobile access safety steps should be well maintained and kept free of dirt and debris.
Mechanisms for retraction of wheels and castors must be kept in good operating condition to ensure firm positive floor contact by the main step structure, with no possibility of movement while in use.
Mobility MUST be PREVENTED when the equipment is in use, either by way of sprung-loaded castors for small to medium sizes steps (up to 5 rises) or mechanical leverage to raise wheels or castors from the floor on larger steps (more than 5 rises).
Treads
Suitable tread materials should be provided to the use intended, particular care is required if the steps might be used in wet conditions, no slip ribbed or granular surfaces should be used in most situations, or suitable metal textured surfaces in more robust situations.
Weights lifted
When weights are carried up or down the access steps, extra allowance should be made for one-handed use (one hand for holding the handrail, the other for the weight). Any excessive weights should not be manually carried up or down mobile access steps, other, mechanical lifting equipment should be used in such cases.
Mobile steps should not be moved with any weight on the equipment (not used as a trolley). For order picking operations, properly designed order picking step trolleys should be used.
Use and positioning
Sufficient space must be available for the proper use of mobile access steps, the equipment must be used at the appropriate positions from the point to be accessed – ie. At right angles to the position, not at an angle necessitating stretching to the side.
If accessing a series of positions the operator should not access positions necessitating stretching to the side of the steps, the steps should always be moved to the appropriate position before accessing the position.
Maintenance
Apart from the maintenance of the mobility facilities(mentioned above), the general structure of the steps should be regularly inspected for any signs of damage or wear. Any such signs should be reported to the appropriate person and the steps not used until the problem is rectified.
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