Do I need scaffold to paint the front of my house

[revpat55]

Does anyone know if I can still use a ladder when I paint the front of my house or do I now need a scaffold tower. I seem to remember someone telling me it is now illegal to just use a ladder.

[raysparx1]

I don' t think it is illegal to paint your house from a ladder, I was working on a house today and the painters were still using the ladders, I thought it was only reroofing that required scaffolding, but I may be wrong.

[revpat55]

thanks for that - I think it may only be professionals who need scaffold as a health & safety measure. I can crack the whip on my husband now!!

[Ethel]

Please be careful. My very sensible and healthy neighbour did just that and the ladder slipped. He was taken to hospital by air ambulance with a broken back. Seven years on, he is walking but in constant pain.

Is it worth it?

[raysparx1]

Ethel, has made a very valid point, I am always working from ladders, and if he is going to do it, make sure the angle of the ladder is correct, the golden rule is "one foot out for every four foot up" so pleae take care, well pointed out Ethel, as usual.

[Toleman]

h&s says that you should not work from ladders, only use them to gain access to a platform. if you want to work from a ladder then for 4m up have the ladder 1m away from the wall. Also if you don't have anybodt to 'foot' the ladder use a bag of sand.

[revpat55]

good advice all round, and may thanks for your answers. He is a very careful DIYer & the ladders are nearly new so should be no problems - just a question of finding the right colour now!

[jake-the-peg]

I think you'ree referring to the working at height regulations

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg401.pdf

These are HSE regulations so I don't believe they apply to a private individual working on his own house but it is worth considering the number of deaths and injuries that occur in this way

Rod Hull ring any bells?

[spudqueen]

My window cleaner uses ladders - would take him all day to clean windows if he had to put up scaffolding every time!

[jake-the-peg]

I'm sure he does spudqueen

Contrary to what is printed about HSE regulations in rags like the Daily Mail it's often very sensible for example in the regs you'll find it says:


21 You must ensure that the place where work is done at height (including the
means of access) is safe and has features to prevent a fall, unless this would mean
that it is not reasonably practicable for the worker to carry out the work safely
(taking into account the demands of the task, equipment and working
environment).

But then it wouldn't be such a good "straight banana story" if people were given the real facts would it?

[revpat55]

good point spudqueen - I had forgotten the window cleaner uses ladders all the time. Pity he is useless with a paintbrush or my problem would have been solved!