Risk Assessment/ Method Statement

ACTIVITY: DATE OF ASSESSMENT: 18.10.2019

Use of Stepladders for maintenance, repairs, painting and decorating
ESTABLISHMENT: Maintenance Team working at following premises SECTION/DEPARTMENT: Offices, Warehouse, Car Park
Head Office sites
WHO MIGHT BE HARMED: People within vicinity HOW MANY ARE AFFECTED: All staff

HAZARDS EXISTING CONTROL MEASURES  if in place RESIDUAL RISK

(including X if not IF ‘X’ STATE THE ACTION TO BE TAKEN WITH RATING
inadequate / lack of TIMESCALES OR INDICATE ANY ADDITIONAL Use Risk Rating
arrangements) CONTROL MEASURES Tool
Falling from the  No person should work alone at height unless they
stepladder have all the necessary equipment and have set up a
lone working procedure in order to alert others in the  2
event of an accident. This may simply be a case of
informing colleagues of their whereabouts and the
work they are undertaking.

 Only one person should ascend the stepladder at any

one time.  1

CONTINUED BELOW
 HAZARDS EXISTING CONTROL MEASURES if in place IF '' STATE THE ACTION TO BE TAKEN WITH RESIDUAL
(including RISK
inadequate / lack of  if not TIMESCALES OR INDICATE ANY ADDITIONAL
RATING
CONTROL MEASURES
arrangements) High,
Medium, Low

 Always secure stepladders on a stable flat floor,

ensuring the floor area around base of stepladder is  2
kept clear.

 Never over-reach from the stepladder.  1

 Staff performing two handed operations whilst using
stepladders must maintain three points of contact
waist and legs.
 2



Tools should be carried on a tool belt or secured to
staff whilst climbing the stepladder. 1

 Equipment should not be carried whilst climbing the

stepladder and should be raised to height either by
pulling up with rope or being passed up by an
assistant Staff should be given training and instruction  1
in the use of stepladders. The level of training should
be determined by the level of risk of the specific task
being carried out.
 HAZARDS EXISTING CONTROL MEASURES if in place IF '' STATE THE ACTION TO BE TAKEN WITH RESIDUAL
(including RISK
inadequate / lack of  if not TIMESCALES OR INDICATE ANY ADDITIONAL
RATING
CONTROL MEASURES
arrangements) High,
Medium, Low

Failure of the
stepladder
 Visually inspect the stepladder for defects before use.
Stepladders in a poor state of repair or which are very  1
causing a person unstable should be discarded.
or equipment to
fall  Check Fibreglass stepladders are free of cracks or
splits.  1

1
 Check aluminium stepladders for metal fatigue or
wear.



Any oil grease or mud should be removed from rungs 1
and stepladder feet. Users should wear appropriate
(safety) footwear for task.

 Store in position which physically protects the

stepladder.
 1

 Stepladders must be fully open when in use and stay

bars should be locked into position.  1

 Any damage to stepladders should be reported to line

management.  1

Reference Documents:

Assessed By (Print name) John Smith Signed Date

 Likelihood Severity Risk Ranking = L x S

1 Highly Unlikely 1 Trivial No Action Required (1)

2 Unlikely 2 Minor Injury Low Priority (2 to 6)

3 Possible 3 Over 3 day Injury Medium Priority (7 to 9)

4 Probable 4 Major Injury High Priority (10 to 14)

5 Certain 5 Incapacity or Death Urgent action (>= 15)