WAH/Access Equipment/TBT-WAH-002

Ladder Safety

Working at Height › Access Equipment › Ladder Safety

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Ladders should only be used for short-duration, low-risk access work — they are not a working platform.
Falls from ladders cause more non-fatal injuries than any other type of fall from height in UK construction.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 place ladders at the bottom of the hierarchy — use them only as a last resort.
Ladders must be inspected before every use and any defective ladder must be taken out of service immediately.
A ladder must be set at the correct angle — the 1-in-4 rule means one unit out for every four units up.
The ladder must extend at least one metre above the landing point to provide a safe handhold for stepping off.
Three points of contact must be maintained at all times when climbing or descending a ladder.
Ladders must be secured at the top or bottom to prevent them sliding, or a second person must foot the base.
Work from a ladder should not involve carrying heavy loads, using both hands for the task, or reaching sideways.
Class 1 industrial ladders or EN 131 Professional ladders are the minimum standard for construction site use.

Prevent falls	Falls from ladders are one of the most common causes of injury on construction sites — correct use prevents them.
Last resort access	Ladders sit at the bottom of the work at height hierarchy — they should only be used when better alternatives are not practicable.
Simple rules save lives	Three points of contact, correct angle, and proper securing are simple measures that prevent the majority of ladder incidents.

Don't

Inspect the ladder before every use — check stiles, rungs, and feet for damage.
Set the ladder at the correct 1-in-4 angle on firm, level ground.
Secure the ladder at the top or have a second person foot the base.
Extend the ladder at least one metre above the landing or stepping-off point.
Maintain three points of contact at all times when climbing or descending.
Face the ladder when climbing and descending — never climb with your back to it.
Use a tool belt or hoist line to carry tools — keep both hands free for climbing.
Consider whether a safer alternative such as a podium or tower scaffold could be used.
Take defective ladders out of service immediately — mark them clearly as unusable.
Check that the ladder is rated for industrial use — Class 1 or EN 131 Professional.

DON'T use a ladder if a safer alternative such as a scaffold or podium is available.
DON'T use a damaged ladder with cracked stiles, missing rungs, or broken feet.
DON'T set a ladder at too steep or too shallow an angle — use the 1-in-4 rule.
DON'T use an unsecured ladder — tie it off at the top or have it footed at the base.
DON'T step off a ladder above the landing point — extend it one metre higher.
DON'T lean out sideways from a ladder — come down and reposition it.
DON'T carry heavy tools or materials while climbing a ladder.
DON'T use ladders for long-duration work or tasks requiring both hands.
DON'T leave defective ladders in the workplace — remove and destroy them.
DON'T use domestic ladders on construction sites — industrial rated ladders only.

See also: Stepladder Safe Use | Mobile Tower Scaffolds

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