A.—sc.

6. Stairs shall be provided with guard-rails throughout their length. 7. Gangways, runs, and stairs from which a person is liable to fall a distance exceeding 2 m. shall be provided — (a) With a suitable guard-rail or guard-rails having a cross-section of at least 30 cm. 2 fixed at least 1 m. above the gangway, run, or stair, and so that the vertical opening below any guard-rail does not exceed 85 cm. ; and (b) With toe-boards which are of sufficient height to prevent the fall of material and tools from the gangway, run, or stair, and in no case less than 15 cm. high, and are as close as possible to the gangway, run, or stair. Regulation 20 —General Provisions concerning Platforms, Gangways, Runs, and Stairs. 1. Every platform, gangway, run, or stairway shall be kept free from any unnecessary obstruction, rubbish, &c. 2. Suitable precautions shall be taken to prevent any platform, gangway, run, or stairway from becoming slippery. 3. No part of a working-platform, gangway, or run shall be supported by loose bricks, drain-pipes, chimney-pots, or other loose or unsuitable material. 4. No working-platform, gangway, or run shall be supported by an eaves gutter, a balcony or its coping, a lighting-conductor, or other unsuitable parts of a building. 5. No working-platform, gangway, or run shall be used for working upon until its construction is completed according to these regulations and the prescribed safeguards properly fixed. Regulation 21. —Trestle Scaffolds. 1. There shall not be used any trestle scaffold which — (a) Is of more than two tiers ; or (b) Exceeds a height of 3 m. from the ground or floor ; (c) Is erected on a suspended scaffold. 2. The width of a trestle scaffold erected on a platform shall be such as to leave sufficient unobstructed space on the platform for the transport of materials or the passage of persons. 3. Trestles shall be firmly fixed so as to prevent displacement. Regulation 22. —Ladders. 1. Every ladder used as a means of communication shall rise at least Im. above the highest point to be reached by any person using the ladder, or one of the uprights shall be continued to that height to serve as a hand-rail at the top. 2. Ladders shall not stand on loose bricks or other loose packing but shall have a level and firm footing. 3. Every ladder — (а) Shall be securely fixed so that it cannot move from its top or bottom points of rest; or (б) If it cannot be secured at the top, shall be securely fastened at the base ; or (c) If fastening at the base is also impossible, shall have a man stationed at the foot to prevent slipping. 4. The undue sagging of ladders shall be prevented. 5. Ladders shall be equally and properly supported on each upright. 6. Where ladders connect different floors — (a) The ladders shall be staggered ; and (b) A protective landing with the smallest possible opening shall be provided at each floor. 7. A ladder having a missing or defective rung shall not be used. 8. No ladder having any rung which depends for its support on nails, spikes, or other similar fixing shall be used. 9. Wooden ladders shall be constructed with — (a) Uprights of adequate strength made of wood free from visible defects and having the grain of the wood running lengthwise ; and (b) Rungs made of wood free from visible defects and mortized into the uprights, to the exclusion of any rungs fixed only by nails. 10. Roofers' and painters' ladders shall not be used by workmen in other trades. Regulation 23. —Fencing of Openings. 1. Every opening left in a floor of a building or in a working-platform for an elevator-shaft or stairway, or for the hoisting of material, or for access by workmen, or for any other purpose shall be provided— (a) With a suitable guard-rail or guard-rails having a cross-section of at least 30 cm. 2 fixed at least 1 m. above the floor or platform, and so that the vertical opening below any guard-rail does not exceed 85 cm. ; (b) With toe-boards which are of sufficient height to prevent the fall of materials and tools from the floor or platform, and in no case less than 15 cm. high, and are as close as possible to the floor or platform.

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