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Typically made of metal alloys, they come in 3 differing standards of construction, from lightweight domestic ladders, through to trade ladders and industrial ladders. Glass reinforced plastic and wooden ladders are also available.

This Guide does not apply to access using fixed vertical ladders (see our other Work at Height Guides - General & Rope Access).

What Can Go Wrong?

• Falls from height - could occur if the ladder slips, topples over, collapses or rungs break
• Struck by falling objects - the ladder or other items could be dropped onto people below
• Manual handling - you could hurt yourself manoeuvring the ladder or climbing it with a load
• Electric shock â€“ could happen if it comes close to a live electrical conductor e.g. power lines.

Legal/´óÏó´«Ã½ Requirements

• Ensure work at height is properly planned and organised.
• Those involved in work at height are competent.
• Risks from work at height are assessed, and appropriate work equipment is selected and used.
• The risks of working on or near fragile surfaces are properly managed.
• Equipment used for work at height is properly inspected and maintained.

Control Measures

Planning your work at height

• Through risk assessment, decide if a ladder is the most suitable means of access – they should only be used for short duration work (<30mins in any one location), when carrying light loads (<10kg), when they can be positioned safely and not when it’s windy, very cold or wet
• Check that workers are physically fit and confident working at height
• Ensure the ladder is the right type, size & class of construction – except for the simplest tasks, try avoid using lightweight domestic ladders
• Ensure the ladder is subject to routine thorough inspections by a competent person (typically every 12 months) - ladders should not be painted (which could hide any faults e.g. cracks / splits), They shouldn't have temporary repairs and should be stored/ transported in a way to minimise damage
• Check access and conditions will be suitable for ladder use i.e. even/ stable ground, suitable structure to rest ladder on, room to manoeuvre the ladder, no exposed electrical conductors.
• Minimise the distance any ladder needs to be carried and for a larger extendable ladders, ensure two fit people will be available to carry & position it.

Using portable ladders

• Carry out a quick visual inspection before use to ensure the ladder has no obvious defects
• Maintain an exclusion zone around the base of the ladder – take steps to warn or prevent people or vehicles coming close
• User to wear flat-soled shoes or boots with good grip
• Users should face forward and avoid over-reaching (i.e. keep your naval within the stiles) or applying such force to the task to cause them to overbalance themselves
• Use a haul line, shoulder bag or belt hooks to carry equipment you might otherwise drop.

Single and extension ladders only

• Position the ladder at an angle of approx. 75° (1 metre out for every 4m up) against a solid structure
• For an extension ladder, make sure that there is at least 3 rungs of overlap between sections
• Where possible, tie upper rungs or stiles to the structure to prevent the ladder slipping or toppling – having a second person to ‘foot the ladder’ is a quick but far less secure alternative
• If the ladder is being used to provide access to a roof or other platform and no other suitable handholds are available, ensure the ladder extends at least 1m beyond platform level
• Maintain 3 points of contact with the ladder at all times – if two handed work is required, a work restraint belt and lanyard should be used to provide a ‘third hand'.

Step-ladders only

• Ensure the ladder is fully extended, with leg brackets locked into place
• Ensure the ladder is on firm level ground, with top platform horizontal
• Do not climb up as high as the top few steps
• Both hands may be used to carry out a task provided the step-ladder is stable and the body can be rested against some part of the ladder to maintain stability.

Division Specific Issues 

• Incorporating Radio OB MS M013-09 Using Ladders & Step Ladders.

FAQs/Did You Know?

• A place is 'at height' if you could be injured falling from it, even if it is at or below ground level.
• Approx. one third of all reportable 'fall from height' accidents in the workplace involve portable ladders, accounting for approx.14 deaths and 1200 major injuries each year.