But there are many types of ladder - selecting the correct type is a skill.

But working on a ladder using only one hand (because three points of contact must be maintained) is the hardest skill - yet not mentioned by the chief.

And when you successfully complete all four ladder exercises you are awarded a certificate proving you are certified ladder operator professional.
(I just made that up, many would have already guessed that but seeing the bottom levels of intelligence that we have reached I feel I need to make that clear)

Had something similar occur at my work with some dork suggesting we use the internet for all our private links because the internet is never down. There's a never ending supply of them.

Time to introduce a ladder simulater.

You forgot bringing the ladder, carrying it to site, setting it up, tethering/tieing it down so it doesn't fall, oh, wait, that's right, they now only buy $350m mechanical ladders attached to a truck and operated via pneumatic controls, so no one has to actually do any physical work.

It's the Work Health & Safety world we now live in. The guys at the top are now personally financially and legally exposed to work practices down through their organizations that have potential to put their employees at risk. They have a duty under the law to remove or minimise as far as practicable workplace risk. If they knowingly ignore identified risks, and someone gets hurt on the job, they could go to jail. For an occupation like Aviation Fire Fighting, where 99.9% of the time the exposure to risk is during practice (and thus can and should be controlled to a degree), it's understandable that they look to minimise it. You make a mistake and crash your aircraft during practice (in the sim) you say bugger and reset. You make a mistake in practice and fall off a 20m ladder, it's sayonara. If you can learn those same ladder skills on a 2m ladder, why would you expose your employees to the greater risk, and thus expose yourself to the legal ramifications of a forseeable and avoidable mishap? I'm not a great fan of the marshmallow OHS world we live in now, but unfortunately (or fortunately if it saves you or a loved one from injury or death) it is the world we are now all compelled to live in.

Aaaand, how will we know if Calendar Boy has a head for heights?
If we carry this argument to conclusion, the SAS will never work with live ammunition, there will be no HUET for helicopter crews and most sports will be banned (croquet anyone?).

Rather simply I see it as the best reply to the Senator is...."In order to comply with the WHS rules YOU (the gummint) introduced...our risk assesment people applied your requirements"

Good thing we are not in the EU. If we were it would have to have 16 Languages.
v

Highest I ever climbed in full gear for training was the equivalent of three storeys. Put my arm through a plaster ceiling on another night and that was the end of confined spaces training. Being one of the support brigades for the AFRS at Tulla, they are definitely dependent on Tanker support from the CFA & MFB here. Without it, it doesn't matter how many ladders or saws they carry, their water is gone in seconds.

Now, as much as it sounds ridiculous, I'm more bemused by 'Senators' who a) didn't actually listen to what he said and b) were too busy making jokes for their own amusement. Those pigs at the trough are more of a joke than any PC or HS&E madness.

And you sign it. Concern for your own health and safety is a funny old thing isn't it.

It can burn them, and that's why they take every precaution not to get burnt. I'm sure when push comes to shove, these guys will put their own lives on the line to pull your sorry arse out of the fire, but they sure as sh*t ain't going to get hurt or killed practising to do it.