Ladder Use - Working at Heights

Overview

Much work involves accessing equipment or places deliberately put out of reach. We therefore need to use access equipment (steps, ladders, towers, and scaffolding) to get at it. A few easily memorized rules can ensure ladder safety. 

Using a ladder is a last resort; you should always use other access equipment first, such as a fixed scaffold, scaffold tower or cherry picker. If you are using a ladder, check the risk assessment for the task; also ensure you are familiar with and competent in ladder use.

Key Points to Consider

Key Points to consider are:

• CHECK – if the task requires access equipment rather than a ladder, STOP – ask your Manager or 

Supervisor for guidance, don’t use a ladder unless it is safe to do so.

• Only use ladders where there is no safer alternative, plan your work and use platforms or fixed 

places of work rather than ladders where appropriate.

• Only use ladders for work of short duration and which can safely be done from a ladder, e.g., 

work requiring only one hand and within easy reaching distance.

• Ladders must be of sound material, strong enough for the purpose and properly maintained. (No 

splits, warping, decay, damage etc). A missing or defective run condemns a ladder automatically – 

check it before you use it every time.

• Ladders must have a firm footing for each stile and be secured at the foot and the base before 

use. If it can not be secured, ensure it is footed by a second person.

• Maximum height to be reached by a ladder is 9m unless a resting place can be provided, however 

this must be covered in the risk assessment. Greater heights require a scaffold or cherry picker to 

ensure a “Safe Place of Work”.

• Ladders used for access must extend at least 1m above the landing place unless a separate 

designed handhold is provided.

• Ladders must be placed at a safe angle of approx. 75°. This means, distance from base of ladder 

to the wall should be ¼ height reached by the ladder, check it before you

use it.

• Only one person should stand on a ladder at one time, except when a second person

is standing on the bottom rung to “foot” the ladder.

• Do not stretch or reach beyond the ladder, reposition the ladder ensuring that you continue to 

work safely

• When climbing or descending ladders, both hands are needed, so carry tools etc, in a shoulder bag 

or tool belt (or hoist them up afterwards).

• Do not use metal ladders near electrical equipment, check for overhead hazards before use.

• Do not use a ladder in a vehicle route or passageway unless protected by barriers or an assistant 

is constantly in attendance.

• Always inspect a ladder before using it and report immediately any defect or breaking

of these rules. Make sure no one else can use the ladder either.