Working Safely with Ladders and Stepladders: A Practical Guide for Employers
Ladders and stepladders are common in workplaces, but their familiarity can mean the risks associated with them are easily underestimated.
There is also a misconception that ladders have been “banned” at work. This is not the case. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance says ladders can be used for low-risk, short-duration work where a risk assessment shows they are appropriate. This is to say that a higher level of fall protection would not be justified over the use of a ladder, or a feature of the workplace cannot be altered to accommodate more protective measures.
The key question is therefore not simply “can we use a ladder?” but “is a ladder the right equipment for this particular task?”
When is a ladder appropriate when working at height?
Ladder safety should not be considered in isolation. Using a ladder is a form of working at height, so employers need to consider the task as part of their wider approach to managing work at height.
Before working at height, employers should first consider whether the work can be avoided. Where it cannot, suitable access equipment should be selected based on the task and level of risk.
Short duration alone does not make ladder use acceptable. HSE guidance indicates that if a task involves remaining on a leaning ladder or stepladder for more than around 30 minutes at a time, alternative equipment should be considered.
Depending on the work involved, alternatives could include a mobile access tower or mobile elevating work platform.
Where a ladder is being used to access a roof or the task itself involves roof work, additional risks will need to be considered. The HSE’s health and safety guidance for roof work covers how roof work should be planned and carried out safely, including repair, maintenance and cleaning work.
Ladder training competence and equipment condition
Choosing suitable equipment is only part of managing the risk.
Ladder users must be competent or, if they are being trained, supervised by a competent person. Competence can be achieved through an appropriate combination of training, knowledge and practical experience.
Ladders should also be kept in suitable condition, with defects identified before use. Damaged or defective equipment should be taken out of service to prevent it being used inadvertently.
Check ladders and stepladders before use
Selecting the correct equipment is not enough. Its condition and how it will be positioned also need to be considered.
Ladders should only be used in circumstances where they can be used safely. The HSE says this includes situations where the ladder can be level and stable and, where reasonably practicable, secured.
Employers should therefore ensure appropriate arrangements are in place for checking ladder condition and preventing defective equipment from continuing to be used.
This is where a wider health and safety risk assessment can help. AfterAthena works with employers to identify workplace and task-specific hazards, review existing control measures and determine where additional action may be required.
Avoid unsafe shortcuts
Many unsafe practices arise during seemingly simple jobs. Stretching rather than repositioning a ladder, using unsuitable equipment because it is readily available, or carrying on because the task will “only take a minute” can all increase risk.
Effective supervision and a positive safety culture are therefore important. Employees should be able to stop a task where the equipment or conditions are unsuitable.
Documented procedures also need to translate into what actually happens in the workplace. Regular health and safety site inspections can help organisations assess whether safety arrangements and controls are being implemented effectively in practice.
Five ladder safety questions before someone climbs
Before using a ladder or stepladder, consider:
- Can the work at height be avoided?
- Is a ladder or stepladder suitable for the task?
- Is the equipment in good condition?
- Can it be positioned safely on a level, stable surface and appropriately secured?
- Is the person carrying out the task competent to use it safely?
Ultimately, safe ladder use is about choosing the right equipment, for the right job, and using it in the right way.
Taking a few moments to plan a routine task properly can prevent a simple job from resulting in a serious incident.
For more information about working at height, ladder safety, risk assessments or health and safety training, contact the AfterAthena Health & Safety team via our form.
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FAQs
No. Ladders can be used at work where a risk assessment shows they are suitable for the task and using equipment offering greater fall protection is not justified.
There is no blanket time limit in the HSE guidance. However, as a guide, if a task requires someone to remain on a leaning ladder or stepladder for more than 30 minutes at a time, the HSE recommends using alternative equipment.
A ladder user must be competent or, while being trained, supervised by a competent person. The HSE says competence can come from an appropriate combination of training, practical and theoretical knowledge, and experience.
Employers must assess and control the risks of work at height. If an incident occurs, a missing or inadequate risk assessment may be considered during an HSE investigation and could contribute to enforcement action or prosecution. It may also be relevant evidence if an injured employee brings a civil claim.
Yes, where there is a risk that a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury. Ladder use therefore needs to be considered as part of the employer’s wider approach to working safely at height.
A ladder may form part of accessing or carrying out work involving a roof, but roof work presents additional hazards and requires appropriate planning and controls. Employers should refer to the HSE’s specific health and safety guidance for roof work.
Kenny Scott | Health and Safety Consultant
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