Use of safe portable ladders by VEU installers

We have updated the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) Obligations and Program Guide for Accredited Persons to reflect that accredited persons (APs) must ensure that installers are equipped with safe portable ladders when performing residential lighting upgrades (and other relevant program activities).

Requirements for installers and accredited persons

VEECs are not eligible for registration if VEU program activities are not undertaken in accordance with the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act 2004 (Vic) or OHS regulations.

To ensure Victorian energy efficiency certificates (VEECs) are eligible under the program, APs must ensure that:

• their installers, and sub-contractors who perform installations on their behalf, are equipped with, and trained in the use of, safe portable ladders when undertaking relevant activities
• ladders used are compliant with AS/NZS 1892.5 (Portable ladders: Selection, safe use and care).

Why we updated the requirements

Through our audit program, we have become aware that installers performing residential lighting upgrades have not been provided with safe portable ladders by their employer and have requested the use of consumer ladders to perform installations at heights.

The use of untested consumer ladders or the accessing of lighting equipment at heights without a ladder (e.g. outdoor lights from balconies) may be in breach of OHS legislation and could result in serious or fatal injuries.

Safety use and care of portable ladders

Ladders are commonly used in a number of program activities. APs have a duty under OHS legislation to provide installers with information and training in the safe use and care of portable ladders as a fall from a ladder can result in serious or fatal injuries even if only working at a relatively low height.

Under OHS legislation, if a task involves the possibility of a fall, the employer must ensure that any risk associated with a fall is assessed and eliminated. If the task requires the use of a ladder, you must ensure that the ladder is safe to use, is appropriate for the task undertaken and that it is set up in the correct manner.

You should refer to the WorkSafe Victoria guidance note ‘Prevention of falls in construction: Selection and safe use of portable ladders’ for information about how to determine when to use a ladder, what to look for when purchasing or selecting a ladder, and how to safely use and maintain a ladder.

Where to get help

If you have any questions with respect to matters set out above, please contact VEU Support on (03) 9032 1310 or veu@esc.vic.gov.au.