38
BUSINESS AND TRAINING
The safe use of
ladders and
stepladders
In this article we look at simple and sensible precautions that
should be taken to keep individuals safe when using ladders or
stepladders in the workplace.
By the Institute for Working at Height | Images by IFWH
Ladders can be a sensible and practical option
for low-risk, short-duration, and light tasks, even
though they may not automatically be your first
choice. The overriding principles are to be sure
you use the right type of ladder, and to know and
follow how to use it safely.
Ladders and stepladders are covered in the General
Safety Regulations 13A 1 - 6 of the Occupational
Health and Safety Act. The entire section of the act
needs to be read before implementation to ensure it is
not misunderstood or not applied. The section on the
use of 9m ladders, fixed ladders and extension ladders
should specifically be consulted.
The law calls for a sensible, proportionate approach to
managing risk. These guidelines should give a good
indication and further guidance on what you should
do before deciding if a ladder is the correct piece of
equipment for a particular task for work at height.
When is a ladder the most suitable equipment?
Good practice dictates that ladders can be used for
work at height when a risk assessment has shown
that using equipment offering a higher level of fall
protection is not justified because of the low risk
and short duration of use and light work is being
done, or if there are existing workplace features
which cannot be altered.
Short duration is not the only deciding factor
in establishing whether use of a ladder is
acceptable or not. Consider the risk first. As
a benchmark, if your task requires staying
up a ladder for more than 30 minutes at a
time and/or the task is not a light task, it is
recommended that you consider alternative
equipment.
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You should only use ladders in situations where they can be
used safely, for example, where the ladder will be level and
stable, and where it is reasonably practicable to do so, and
the ladder can be secured.
Who can use a ladder at work?
To use a ladder you need to be competent by having had
instructions, and understanding how to use the equipment
safely as per manufacturer’s instructions. Appropriate
training can help.
• If you are being trained, you should work under the
supervision of somebody who can perform the task
competently.
• Check your ladder before starting a task. You should
always carry out a ‘pre-use’ check to spot any obvious
visual defects to make sure the ladder is safe to use.
• A pre-use check should be carried out by the user at
the beginning of the working shift.
• After something has changed, e.g. a ladder has been
dropped or moved from a dirty area to a clean area
(check the state or condition of the feet).
What are pre-use checks?
• Check the stiles – make sure they are not bent or
damaged, as the ladder could buckle or collapse.
• Check the feet – should they be missing, worn or
damaged, the ladder could slip. Also check ladder feet
when moving from soft/dirty ground (e.g. dug soil,
loose sand/ stone, a dirty workshop) to a smooth, solid
surface (e.g. paving slabs or concrete floor).
• Make sure the foot material and not the dirt (e.g. soil,
chippings or embedded stones) is making contact with
the ground.
• Check the rungs – if they are bent, worn, missing or
loose the ladder could fail.
• Check any locking mechanisms – if they are bent or
the fixings are worn or damaged, the ladder could
collapse. Ensure any locking bars are engaged.
• Check the stepladder platform – if it is split or buckled
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August 2019 Volume 25 I Number 6