Ladders and stepladders are not banned for work use but require a risk assessment. They may be suitable for short duration, low-risk tasks if fall protection like securing the ladder cannot be reasonably used. A pre-use check of ladders is required to ensure they are safe, with defects making them unsafe for use. Ladders should be positioned at a 75 degree angle and not worked off the top three rungs or beyond the ladder's safe reach. Stepladders require keeping two feet on the same step and maintaining three points of contact.

1. Ladders and
Stepladders
KM: April 2020

2. Ladders
Ladders and stepladders are not banned under health and
safety law!
In fact they can be a sensible and practical option for low-risk,
short-duration tasks, although they may not automatically be
the first choice.
It is important to ensure sure that the right type of ladder is
selected for the task and the user has the knowledge on how to
use it safely.
(©HSE 2016:INDG401(rev2),published 01/14)
KM: April 2020

3. Before Working at Height
Remember before working at height you must work through
these simple steps:
• Avoid work at height where it is reasonably practicable to do
so
• Where work at height cannot be avoided, prevent falls using
either an existing place of work that is already safe or the
right type of equipment
• Minimise the distance and consequences of a fall, by using
the right type of equipment where the risk cannot be
eliminated
(©HSE 2016:INDG401(rev2),published 01/14)
KM: April 2020

4. Risk Assessment
Prior to starting a task on a construction site a Risk Assessment
must be carried out particularly when the task involves working
at height.
The law says 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; or there are existing workplace
features which cannot be altered.
Image ©http://www.hse.gov.uk/myth/may.htm/
KM: April 2020

5. Ladders: When to Use?
When deciding to use a ladder short duration is not the deciding
factor in establishing whether use of a ladder is
acceptable or not – you should have first considered the risk.
As a guide, if your task would require staying up a leaning ladder
or stepladder for more than 30 minutes at a time, it is
recommended that you consider alternative equipment.
You should only use ladders in situations where they can be used
safely, eg where the ladder will be level and stable, and where it is
reasonably practicable to do so, the ladder can be secured.
©HSE INDG455,published 01/14
KM: April 2020

6. Ladders
Who can use a ladder?
On site anyone can use a ladder as long as they are deemed to
be competent and have received instruction and understand
how to use the equipment safely.
Check your ladder before you use it
Before starting a task, you should always look out for defects to
make sure the ladder is safe to use.
A pre-use check should be carried out:
• By the person who is going to use the ladder
• At the start of the working day;
• After something has changed, eg a ladder has been dropped
or moved from a dirty area to a clean area (check the state
or condition of the feet).
©HSE INDG455,published 01/14
KM: April 2020

7. Ladders: Pre-Use Checks
Check the stiles – make sure they are not bent or damaged.
Check the feet – if they are missing, worn or damaged the
ladder could slip. Check ladder feet when moving from
soft/dirty ground (eg dug soil, a dirty workshop) to a smooth,
solid surface (eg paving slabs), to make sure the foot material
and not the dirt (eg soil, chippings) is making contact with the
ground.
Check the rungs – if they are bent, worn, missing or loose the
ladder could fail.
©HSE INDG455,published 01/14
. KM: April 2020

8. Ladders: Pre-Use Checks
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 the
ladder could become
unstable or collapse.
Check the steps or treads on stepladders – if they are
contaminated they could be slippery; if the fixings are loose on
steps, they could collapse.
©HSE INDG455,published 01/14
KM: April 2020

9. Leaning Ladders
Make sure the ladder angle is at 75° – you should use the 1 in 4
rule (ie 1 unit out for every 4 units up)
Don’t work off the top three rungs, and try to make sure the
ladder extends at least 1 m (three rungs) above where you are
working.
©HSE INDG455,published 01/14
KM: April 2020

10. Leaning Ladders
Correct – user
maintaining three points of
contact (means of securing
omitted for clarity)
©HSE INDG455,published 01/14
Incorrect – overreaching
and not maintaining three
points of contact (means of
securing omitted for clarity
Figure 4 Correct – use of a
stand-off device to ensure a
strong resting point. Do not
rest a ladder against weak
upper surfaces such as
glazing or plastic gutters.
Follow the manufacturer’s
instructions
KM: April 2020

11. Stepladders
Example where two hands need to be
free for a brief period for light work.
Keep two feet on the same step
and the body (knees or chest)
supported by the stepladder to
maintain three points of contact.
Make sure a safe handhold is available
Full information on the safe use of
stepladders is available from the HSE
and through MyCity
©HSE INDG455,published 01/14
KM: April 2020

12. Securing Ladders
Correct – ladder tied at top
stiles (correct for working
on, but not for gaining
access to a working
platform/roof etc)
©HSE INDG455,published 01/14
Correct – tying part way
down Correct – tying near the
base
KM: April 2020

13. Securing Ladders
©HSE INDG455,published 01/14
Correct – access ladders
should be tied and extend at least
1 m above the landing point to
provide a secure handhold
KM: April 2020

14. Construction
City of Glasgow College
2020
KM: April 2020