Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ken O'Brian on January 15, 2009 at 4:16am

I would suggest that the problem is that the "turntable ladder" is being used as a crane, which is directly in contravention of Australian Occupational Health & Safety Regulations governing their use.

Here's a thing though - I have personally been told by a senior inspector of an Australian State Government OHS Department to use an EWP as a crane in a particular circumstance, as the contravention of the regulations was deemed by that inspector to be the safest possible method of achieving the required outcome at the time.

Therefore I would suggest that it may be pencil-pushers who made this rule up, and that it may not be based on what the machine is actually capable of. Just food for thought.

Permalink Reply by Chris Miller on April 7, 2009 at 7:30pm

May or may not be a problem. If the rigging is correct, if the mfg. rates the ladder for rope operations, if all safety equipment is adequate, anchors are redundant, and there is a belay or fall arresting system built in.

Permalink Reply by Mark Montgomery on January 5, 2010 at 11:37pm

So what you are saying Ken is that in you part of Australia the use of something like a turntable ladder in a configuration as shown in the photo would not be acceptable?

Here in New Zealand we have, at least in the past, had turntable ladders that were also certified as cranes, complete with load charts, etc. There is nothing in our H&S laws to prohibit this and I see it as reasonable providing such a setup meets the manufacturers standards.

Permalink Reply by Mark Montgomery on January 5, 2010 at 11:42pm

Thanks for your comments Chris.

My concern was specifically around the rig I can see at the head of the ladder. This does not appear to be a ladder that is set-up with a winch. What they appear to have done is use what looks like a strop or a couple of strops to create a yoke to anchor a line off to.

This entire arrangement changes the loading on the ladder, and unless it is sanctioned by the manufacturer of the ladder could well leave the Fire Department liable to both penalties and sanctions from OSHA as well as invalidating any insurance they might have.