Dear Lislinkers,
Many thanks for all your responses, both on and off list, regarding my kickstool query. Thanks to those who pointed out that this has been raised on Lislink previously - I've taken a look and the relevant archives are to be found in February 2004.
As Mike Sharrocks mentioned, the debate has focused on the nature of the hazard, i.e., whether stools pose a tripping or falling risk (Laurence Bebbington's example falls into the former category).
I would say that 90% of the responses that I've received have been positive, mentioning that the advantages that I originally outlined outweigh alternative risks caused for instance, by overreaching (such as upper limb disorders, or injury from falling books). Stress has been laid on the need for sensible usage: regular checks and maintenance of equipment, and simply being vigilant to avoid tripping risks, as well as the provision of alternatives (such as stepladders incorporating handrails). Kevin Green reported that:
"We have recently had a H&S audit by an external firm of auditors. They didn't say the kickstools were unsafe, but recommended that we use the middle 'step' to mount them, rather than just stretching to the top step in one go. We tried this and found that we tended to catch our feet on the underside of the top step when moving from the middle to the top, making it more unsafe than before!. So we continue to use them as before, just step straight up on to the top. We have been using them for years, and have never had an accident with them."
I've also taken a look at the website of the Health and Safety Executive (including the Temporary Working at Height Directive), to no avail, so have emailed the Executive - I'll let Lislink know if they provide me with anything more definitive.
Thanks once more,
Caroline
Ms Caroline Brick, Assistant Librarian
Horniman Museum
Tel: +44 (0)20 8699 1872 ext 109
Fax: +44 (0)20 8291 5506
http://www.horniman.ac.uk
Horniman Public Museum & Public Park Trust. Registered Office 100 London Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 3PQ, UK. Company Registration 2456393. Registered Charity No. 802725
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