Ladder Safety

There are a high number of ladder injuries every year, in fact ladders are involved in the most ‘fall from height’ incidents overall and account for over a quarter of all falls in the work place.

The Law

There are some requirements by law that are put in place to ensure safety when using a ladder.

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 is enforced to place duties on any employer or self-employed person and apply to all work at a height were there are risks of falling that could cause a personal injury. It is now also required by law to have a ladder inspection label to show that a ladder is safe to use.

Ladder Inspection Labels

There are two different ladder inspection labels, the first is a ‘passed’ label, that comes in green or blue, which lets you know a ladder is safe to use.

The other is a ‘failed’ label which will be red and have the dates that the ladder was inspected and the name of the person that inspected it. This means clearly, that the ladder is not suitable to use as it has failed a safety inspection.

Pre-use Ladder Check

Always carry out a pre-use ladder check to make sure a ladder is fit for use. Doing these checks every day will help ensure any problems are found straight away and are dealt with before an accident occurs.

Things to look for in a pre-use check are:

• Look for the ladder inspection label to ensure they have been approved for use.
• The general condition of the ladders, are they bent or leaning?
• The feet of the ladder are not missing or worn down as this could cause them to slip.
• Make sure the lock bars are stable with no damage to them.
• The steps/platform should not be slippery, contaminated or broken.
• All fixings are intact and none are loose or rusting.

Things To Consider

There are other factors that need to be taken in to consideration before you start to use a ladder, these include:

• The job you are doing is only for a short duration or light duty work.
• You are fit and have no medical conditions that could affect your balance or safety.
• You have appropriate footwear for using a ladder, for example boots/trainers.
• The ladder is in a secure place that can’t be knocked by anything. If this is absolutely not possible make sure you have someone with you to secure the ladder from the ground at all times.
• Make sure you are not near any live electrical equipment. If this is the case ensure you are using ladders that will not conduct electricity, for example wooden ladders.

You will now be able to begin safely using the ladder. Always carry a ladder in a safe way, if it is a longer ladder make sure there is someone else to help you carry it.

To safely erect a ladder you must make sure:

• The ladder is at a 75 degrees angle.
• The top of the ladder is leaning against a secure surface not for example a plastic guttering as this could give way and cause a ladder to slip.
• Where possible tie the top of the ladder to the surface it is resting against. Be sure to always tie the sides of the ladders not the rugs (steps).
• Avoid over stretching to reach something – for example if trying to reach a window make sure the ladders are as close as possible and if there not get down and more them closer.

Further Tips

A few other simple tips to follow to avoid having an injury on a ladder are:

• Never carry heavy objects up a ladder. If you need to take tools up do so using a tool belt.
• There should only ever be one person on a ladder at any time.
• Always store ladders in a safe, secure place to avoid them being damaged.
• Never set up a ladder on a slope or wet surface.

If In Doubt Don’t Use It

Following these easy tips will ensure accidents on a ladder are prevented. Remember if a ladder doesn’t have a passed ladder inspection label or fails any of the pre-checks given here then do not use it, instead simply inform your boss or manager and if it’s your own ladder replace straight away to avoid an accident.