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DGUV I 208-016 (BGI 694)
DGUV I 208-016 (BGI 694)
DGUV Information 208-016 (BGI694/BGV D36)
Dealing with ladders and steps
DGUV Information 208-016, formerly BGI 694 or BGV D36, describes the instructions for handling ladders and steps. This information deals with the ladder types and the associated accessories. The Occupational Safety and Health Act (ArbSchG) and the Industrial Safety Ordinance (BetrSichV) serve as the basis here. The entrepreneur has to ensure the proper condition, this includes the regular inspection of the ladders and steps. The frequency of this test depends on several factors: the existing operating conditions, above all on the frequency of use, the stress during use as well as on the serious defects already identified in previous tests. DGUV I 208-016 IS NOT FOR FIXED LADDERS
PSA-Check Poelmann acts and tests according to the new DGUV I 208-032 (BGI 694) and carries out all the prescribed tests for you.
1. Who are these operating instructions intended for?
These operating instructions are mainly aimed at entrepreneurs who provide portable ladders and steps for their employees or who use them themselves. It provides information on the regulations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (ArbSchG), the Industrial Safety Ordinance (BetrSichV), regulations of the accident insurance carriers and relevant standards that must be taken into account when providing and using ladders and steps. The handling of ladders and steps includes the provision and their safe use. Appendix 1 contains a compilation of legal regulations, rules, standards and information leaflets.
When selecting suitable access to high-level workplaces, the following must be taken into account:
- the height difference to be overcome,
- the duration and frequency of use,
- the possibility of escape in the event of imminent danger and
- extensive tool and material transport.
There must be no additional risk of falling. Examples of additional fall hazards are:
- Installation of the ladder next to unsecured openings,
- Internal traffic,
- Installation next to railings or on falling edges to lower levels.
If work is to be carried out on a small scale and with low risk, ladders and steps can also be used.
When assessing whether the work is short-term work of a small extent and with low risk, in addition to the duration and degree of difficulty of the work as well as the physical effort to be used, the scope of the tools and materials to be carried on the ladder must also be taken into account.
Examples of this are when:
- the place on the ladder is not higher than 7 m above the installation surface,
- If the stand is more than 2 m high, the object-related work to be carried out by the ladder does not exceed two hours,
- the weight of the tools and material to be carried does not exceed 10 kg,
- no objects with an area exposed to wind over 1 m2 are carried,
- no substances or devices are used that pose additional risks for employees,
- Work is carried out that requires less effort than is sufficient to tilt the ladder and the worker stands with both feet on one rung / step.
- the height difference to be overcome,
- the duration and frequency of use,
- the possibility of escape in the event of imminent danger and
- extensive tool and material transport.
There must be no additional risk of falling. Examples of additional fall hazards are:
- Installation of the ladder next to unsecured openings,
- Internal traffic,
- Installation next to railings or on falling edges to lower levels.
If work is to be carried out on a small scale and with low risk, ladders and steps can also be used.
When assessing whether the work is short-term work of a small extent and with low risk, in addition to the duration and degree of difficulty of the work as well as the physical effort to be used, the scope of the tools and materials to be carried on the ladder must also be taken into account.
Examples of this are when:
- the place on the ladder is not higher than 7 m above the installation surface,
- If the stand is more than 2 m high, the object-related work to be carried out by the ladder does not exceed two hours,
- the weight of the tools and material to be carried does not exceed 10 kg,
- no objects with an area exposed to wind over 1 m2 are carried,
- no substances or devices are used that pose additional risks for employees,
- Work is carried out that requires less effort than is sufficient to tilt the ladder and the worker stands with both feet on one rung / step.
Short-term, small-scale work can include the following activities, for example:
- maintenance and inspection work,
- measuring, straightening and plumbing work,
- changing lamps in luminaires,
- painting and cleaning of gutters and roof drains,
- Attaching and knocking off lifting accessories in the hoist operation,
- dowel setting,
- tensioning and releasing anchorages,
- closing anchor holes,
- minor reworking of concrete surfaces,
- replacement of small-format panels in cladding,
- Underlaying, laying of height adjustment and support pieces for prefabricated parts,
- aligning and screwing assembly parts,
- Attaching small advertising, price tags or fairy lights,
- repairs to awnings and canopies,
- Assembly and maintenance work on ventilation, air conditioning and heating systems,
- Assembly of stages and small shelving systems.
If ladders and steps can be used as a result of the risk assessment, the company has the following obligations:
- Only provide ladders and steps, or use them yourself, that comply with the rules of technology listed in Appendix 1 and that are suitable for the work to be carried out according to their design (see Section 3). In the case of ladders and steps that bear the GS mark (“Tested Safety”), the manufacturer has had an approved test center confirm that the recognized rules of technology have been complied with.
- Find out about the dangers involved in handling ladders and steps and instruct employees appropriately (see Sections 4 and 5),
- Make sure that ladders and steps are regularly checked for their proper condition (see Section 6).
- maintenance and inspection work,
- measuring, straightening and plumbing work,
- changing lamps in luminaires,
- painting and cleaning of gutters and roof drains,
- Attaching and knocking off lifting accessories in the hoist operation,
- dowel setting,
- tensioning and releasing anchorages,
- closing anchor holes,
- minor reworking of concrete surfaces,
- replacement of small-format panels in cladding,
- Underlaying, laying of height adjustment and support pieces for prefabricated parts,
- aligning and screwing assembly parts,
- Attaching small advertising, price tags or fairy lights,
- repairs to awnings and canopies,
- Assembly and maintenance work on ventilation, air conditioning and heating systems,
- Assembly of stages and small shelving systems.
If ladders and steps can be used as a result of the risk assessment, the company has the following obligations:
- Only provide ladders and steps, or use them yourself, that comply with the rules of technology listed in Appendix 1 and that are suitable for the work to be carried out according to their design (see Section 3). In the case of ladders and steps that bear the GS mark (“Tested Safety”), the manufacturer has had an approved test center confirm that the recognized rules of technology have been complied with.
- Find out about the dangers involved in handling ladders and steps and instruct employees appropriately (see Sections 4 and 5),
- Make sure that ladders and steps are regularly checked for their proper condition (see Section 6).
Annex 1
Rules and regulations
Compilation of legal regulations, rules, standards and information documents
Rules and regulations
Compilation of legal regulations, rules, standards and information documents
ArbSchG labor protection law
BetrSichV Industrial Safety Ordinance
GUV-I 637 GUV information "Platform ladders"
BGI 638 BG information "rope ladders"
DIN EN 131-1 “Ladders; Designations, types, functional dimensions "
DIN EN 131-2 “Ladders; Requirements, testing, labeling "
DIN EN 517 “Prefabricated accessories for roof coverings; Roof safety hook "
DIN EN 14183 "Steps"
DIN EN 61478 "Ladders made of insulating material"
DIN 4567 ladders - Design basis for ladders for special professional use
DIN 68361 fruit tree ladders made of wood - dimensions, requirements and testing
DIN 68362 wood for ladders and steps - quality conditions
DIN 68363 fruit tree ladders made of aluminum - dimensions, requirements and testing
You can obtain standards from Beuth Verlag GmbH (www.beuth.de), Berlin.
For all other publications, please contact your professional association.
BetrSichV Industrial Safety Ordinance
GUV-I 637 GUV information "Platform ladders"
BGI 638 BG information "rope ladders"
DIN EN 131-1 “Ladders; Designations, types, functional dimensions "
DIN EN 131-2 “Ladders; Requirements, testing, labeling "
DIN EN 517 “Prefabricated accessories for roof coverings; Roof safety hook "
DIN EN 14183 "Steps"
DIN EN 61478 "Ladders made of insulating material"
DIN 4567 ladders - Design basis for ladders for special professional use
DIN 68361 fruit tree ladders made of wood - dimensions, requirements and testing
DIN 68362 wood for ladders and steps - quality conditions
DIN 68363 fruit tree ladders made of aluminum - dimensions, requirements and testing
You can obtain standards from Beuth Verlag GmbH (www.beuth.de), Berlin.
For all other publications, please contact your professional association.
Source: Excerpts from DGUV I 208-016
Editor:
German legal
Accident Insurance eV (DGUV) www.dguv.de/publikationen
German legal
Accident Insurance eV (DGUV) www.dguv.de/publikationen
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