INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CORRECT USE OF WOODEN RUNNING LADDERS
TAKING ACCEPTANCE OF THE LADDER
If any defect is found upon taking over the ladder or if there is any doubt as to whether the goods are complete, it is necessary to inform the seller immediately, not to take over the ladder, or to properly record the fact.
BASIC OBLIGATIONS OF THE USER
It is the obligation of every user of the ladder to become thoroughly familiar with the safety regulations and instructions before each use and, above all, to subsequently follow them.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
1) GENERALLY:
Basic instructions must be supplied with each ladder to which they apply. Instructions must be prepared in the form of text, which may be supplemented with schematic drawings or graphic images.
2) CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS
a) incorrect ladder placement / incomplete opening of the rungs, incorrect angle of the support ladder, ……… /
b) slipping of the lower part of the ladder / unstable surface / or sideways slipping and tipping of support ladders
c) falling sideways
d) condition of the ladder / e.g. missing anti-slip feet, ……. /
e) descending from a ladder that is not secured at height /
f) terrain conditions / unstable soft ground, sloping terrain, dirty hard surfaces, slippery surfaces …… /
g) adverse weather conditions
h) collision with the ladder / vehicle, door, ……../
i) inappropriate choice of ladder / too short, inappropriate activity /
j) carrying, assembling, dismantling, carrying objects up the ladder
k) unsuitable footwear
l) dirty rungs or steps
m) unsafe practices by the user / climbing on two rungs, slipping on the sides, …… /
n) defect in the ladder structure / damaged sides, rungs or fittings, ……../
o) overloading of the ladder, unintended use, …………/
p) electrical hazards / incorrect selection or placement of the ladder, unavoidable work under voltage, ladders damaging electrical equipment – covers, electrical insulation, ………../
Use the ladder only if you are in satisfactory physical and mental condition to use the ladder. Using the ladder with certain medical conditions or medication, excessive alcohol or drug use can be dangerous and is strongly discouraged.
When transporting ladders on roof racks or in a delivery vehicle, ensure their proper placement to prevent damage or loosening of the ladder.
3) BEFORE USE IT IS NECESSARY TO CHECK:
a) After delivery of the ladder and before its first use, check the condition and functionality of all parts.
b/ Check that the side rails and rungs are not cracked, twisted, rotten or otherwise damaged
c/ Check that the screws, nuts, hinges and other fasteners are not loose, corroded or otherwise damaged
d/ Check that the ladder is complete and that the parts are in good, unworn and undamaged condition
d) At the beginning of the working day when the ladder is to be used, carry out a visual inspection of the ladder to ensure that it is not damaged, that it is not cleaned of e.g. mud, paint, oil, grease, …………. and that it is safe to use.
e) In the case of professional users, regular inspection is required.
f) Determine whether the ladder is suitable for the activity in question.
g) Do not use a damaged ladder.
h) Remove any contamination from the ladder, e.g. wet paint, mud, oil or snow.
i) Before using the ladder in the workplace, a risk assessment should be carried out with regard to the legislation of the country of use.
j) When checking the ladder, it is necessary to ensure that there are no optically visible defects on the ladder (e.g. cracks in the material, deformation, etc.), that the joints between the rungs and the sidewalls are intact, and that all screws, rivets and connecting elements are properly performing their function. We recommend that you check before each use of the ladder.
k/ The feet of the ladder or the stabilizer must be secured with a screw or nail
l/ For support ladders that are supplied with a stabilizer, it is necessary to first firmly mount this stabilizer in the prepared groove at the lower end of the ladder using the enclosed screws, washers and nuts before first use.
4) POSITIONING AND BUILDING THE LADDER:
a a) The ladder must be erected in a suitable place, e.g. at a suitable angle in the case of support ladders (angle of inclination approximately 65 - 75 ˇ ), with rungs or steps in a given plane; double ladder fully extended.
b) The locking device, if used, must be fully secured before use.
c) The ladder must be on a flat, horizontal and immovable surface.
d) The support ladder should be supported on a flat, non-friable surface and secured before use, e.g. by tying it down or using suitable stabilising elements.
e) The ladder should never be moved from above.
f) When positioning the ladder, take into account the risk of collision of the ladder with, e.g. pedestrians, vehicles or doors. In the work area, secure doors (but not emergency exits) and windows, if possible.
g) Identify any electrical hazards in the work area, e.g. overhead lines or other unprotected electrical equipment.
h) The ladder must stand on its feet, not on rungs or steps.
ch) Ladders cannot be placed on slippery surfaces (e.g. ice, shiny surfaces or heavily soiled hard surfaces).
surfaces) unless additional effective measures are taken to prevent the ladder from slipping or sufficient cleaning of the contaminated surface is ensured.
5) USING THE LADDER:
a) Do not exceed the maximum total load for the type of ladder.
b) Do not lean; the user should keep the center of his body (abdomen) between the sides and both feet on the same step during the activity.
c) Do not step from the ladder to a higher level without additional protection, e.g. tying or using a suitable stabilizing element.
d) Do not use double ladders to access the next level (to a higher floor).
f) Do not stand on the top 2 steps/rungs of the ladder.
g) The recommended maximum load for one suspension hook is 10 kg. We recommend using both suspension hooks simultaneously with an evenly distributed load between both hooks.
h) Ladders should only be used for light and short-term work.
i) For unavoidable live electrical work, use non-conductive ladders.
j) Do not use the ladder outdoors in adverse weather conditions, e.g. in strong winds.
k) Take precautions to prevent children from playing on the ladder.
l) Secure doors (but not emergency exits) and windows in the work area, if possible.
m) Always face the ladder when ascending and descending.
n) Always hold on to the ladder firmly when ascending and descending.
o) Do not use the ladder as a bridge.
p) Wear suitable footwear.
q) Avoid excessive lateral loads, e.g. drilling into brick and concrete.
r) Do not stay on the ladder for long periods without regular breaks (fatigue is a risk).
s) Support ladders for access to a higher level should extend at least 1 m beyond the point of contact. (Fig. 6)
t) The load carried when using a ladder should be light and easy to handle.
v) When working from a ladder, take additional safety precautions.
w) Ladders are intended for one person only.
x) Only work that is not time-consuming and within normal reach of the ladder may be carried out from ladders - such as simple assembly or installation work and paint repairs. This work may only be carried out by instructed and physically fit persons.
y) When working with a ladder in a busy area, this fact must always be clearly marked.
z) If you use feet, they must be screwed to the ladder before first use. If one foot is missing from the ladder or the feet are extended, this must be corrected.
6) REPAIR, MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE:
Repairs and maintenance must only be carried out by a qualified person. Ladders must be stored in such a way that their storage does not cause any danger and that the ambient conditions /humidity, heat,…/ do not affect the functionality and properties of the ladder.
The ladder must be stored in a position that allows it to remain straight / suspended by the sides on suitable holders, or placed on a flat, clean, dry surface /
The ladder must be stored in a place where there is no risk of:
a/ damage by vehicles or heavy objects
b/ so that it does not cause a tripping hazard and does not form an obstacle
c/ so that it cannot be easily used for criminal activity, so that it is suitably secured against unauthorized climbing
7) PRODUCT DISPOSAL:
After the ladder has reached the end of its service life or in the event of a repair that appears to be significantly uneconomical, the individual parts of the ladder are disposed of after complete disassembly with a view to complying with environmental protection requirements.
8) PLACEMENT OF INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE:
The ladders are provided with stickers on the sides with pictograms that show how the ladders must be used or, conversely, which use is not permitted. It is absolutely necessary to use the ladder only in the manner specified by the manufacturer and based on valid safety regulations (ČSN EN 131-3:2019).
Each ladder is supplied with instructions for use (this can also be viewed on the manufacturer's website. It must be studied before each use of the ladder.
The instructions for using the ladder are prepared according to the relevant standard EN 131-3:2019.
Manufacturer: Cmol žebříky s.r.o. Strážnice, www.drevozebrik.cz
The ladders were certified by TSÚS Bratislava (certificate available from the manufacturer or your dealer).