FIXED LADDER SAFETY REVIEW

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FIXED LADDER SAFETY REVIEW
JAC Safety Committee Meeting 36 Ian
Wheeler October 26, 1999
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Background

• Staff observations and cursory surveys prior to
  September 1999 prompted a more comprehensive
  review of the fixed ladders in the UKIRT, JCMT,
  and Hilo facilities.
• Report titled Fixed Ladder Safety Review
  (21Oct99) is this comprehensive review.

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Aim

• Run through report
• methodology
• highlight some examples
• potential costs

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Discussion/Desired Outcome

• Agreement on methodology, i.e., not strictly
  about compliance but risk assessment
• Review recommendations

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Report Scope

• Intended as a review document, it identifies
  ladder deficiencies, outlines corrective action,
  and lists possible options.
• Contains recommendations to replace or modify
  seven ladder assemblies.
• Requires discussion to determine priority and
  action plan for any rectification work.

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What makes a ladder Safe? - Analysis Methodology

• The JAC Health and Safety Manual states
• The minimum standards for safety will be
  those laid down by the State of Hawaii
  Occupational Safety and Health standards. The
  JAC is also required to comply not only with the
  state standards but, where the requirements are
  more stringent, and where it is reasonably
  practicable with UK standards encompassed by the
  Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

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Methodology - Standards

• Workplace Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations
  (ACOP, paragraph13, page 21)
• British Standards (BS-5395 1985)
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  (OSHA 3124, 1997 revised)

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Methodology - Implementation

• Significant criteria from standards were
  identified.
• A risk assessment was performed in order to
  assess the implications of non-compliance with
  standards, allowing deviations to be placed into
  an appropriate risk category (low, medium, or
  high).
• High risk deficiencies require corrective action.

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Methodology - Application

• Two possible approaches

• 1. Complete an individual risk assessment for
• each ladder.

• OR

• 2. Complete a general risk assessment based on
• non-compliance with standards.

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Results

• Total of 21 ladders surveyed.
• No ladders surveyed fully complied with either BS
  or OSHA.
• Extent of non-compliance and associated risks
  that determine whether corrective action is
  required.
• 7 ladders cited for corrective action.

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Critical Ladder Dimensions
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Example of an Acceptable Ladder

• JCMT crane access ladder.
• Associated risks are low, due to
• cage starting height 2.32m instead of 2.5m (BS)
• clear space behind user 530mm instead of 760mm
  (BS and OSHA)

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• Ukirt South/North Column Access Ladders

• High risk of falling due to the absence of a
  safety cage.
• Exposes user to risk of strain-type injury and
  possible fall due to work envelope.

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• Ukirt Outside Roof Access Ladder

• High risk of falling due to
• excessive string flexure
• inadequate string extensions
• absence of safety cage
• Adjacent handrail is also deficient and should be
  upgraded.

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• JCMT Outside Roof Access Ladder

• High risk of falling due to inadequate safety
  cage.

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• JCMT Control Room Roof Access Ladder

• High risk of falling due to the absence of a
  safety cage.
• High risk of falling objects due to the lack of
  landing platform toe plates.

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• JCMT Outside Carousel Escape Ladder

• High risk of falling due to
• the absence of a safety cage
• excessive lateral instability

• Evacuation route documentation requires review.

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• Hilo Vehicle Bay Loft Access Ladder

• High risk of falling due to
• the absence of a safety cage
• excessive flexure

• High risk of falling objects due to the lack of
  landing platform toe plates.

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Recommendations

• Remove, replace or modify 7 ladders.
• Conduct review of building evacuation route
  documentation.

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Estimated Costs

• Implementing all 7 recommendations as given would
  result in the following estimated costs
• Material costs range 4420 to 9120
• Total effort range 23 days to 63 days
  (installation and design)
• J1OBC has 1k provision for ladder work in FY99

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FIXED LADDER SAFETY REVIEW

• Talked about
• methodology
• highlighted some examples
• outlined recommendations
• listed potential costs

• To be discussed
• Agreement on methodology
• Review recommendations

Thank you...