Are You Making These 7 Common Ladder Safety Mistakes?

Anytime you use a ladder for work, you must comply with the Work at Height Regulations 2005 (WAH Regulations).

Under the WAH Regulations, all work at height must be planned, supervised and carried out by competent people. Competent people have the right combination of skills, knowledge, experience and training to do the job safely.

This requirement extends to ladder work. So, you must have sufficient knowledge, skills, experience and training to use a ladder (or be supervised by someone else with these qualities).

Ladder work is relatively straightforward, which means you don’t need considerable training or experience to use one safely, but you do need to know what you’re doing. Ladder accidents are common and using one without training means you’re likely making these common ladder safety mistakes.

Despite what some people say, you can legally use a ladder in the workplace. But you have to comply with the WAH Regulations, which means your work must be appropriately planned and carried out.

In practice, this means someone competent has assessed the risks of the planned work and determined how those risks can be eliminated or reduced to a reasonable level.

One of the most critical considerations is using the right equipment to reach the required height for the job. If you’ve decided on a ladder immediately, you might’ve made your first mistake.

You should only use a ladder for work at height if it’s a safe and practical option.

As a general rule, a ladder isn’t safe for any task that lasts longer than 30 minutes. If your work requires more than half an hour at height, you should consider using different equipment, such as scaffolding or a mobile elevated work platform (MEWP).

However, task duration isn’t the only factor to consider. You must always return to the risk assessment to be sure that a ladder is suitable for the task and that it can be set up safely in the work area.

There’s more than one type of ladder: step, leaning, telescopic or combination – each type has its strengths and weaknesses. And some are designed for specific tasks, such as roof ladders.

You can’t safely substitute one ladder for another. Use the right type for the job, as settled by the risk assessment.

It’s also unsafe to work from the top three rungs of any leaning ladder or the top three steps of any step ladder. Ignoring this rule can lead to overbalancing, a consistent cause of ladder accidents. So, if you need to work from the very top of a ladder, you need a taller ladder.

Ladders must be checked at the start of the workday and after any event that may have compromised the ladder, such as the ladder being dropped or used in a dirty area. This small effort can prevent severe injuries and accidents on the job.

A pre-use check covers the:

• Stiles
• Feet
• Rungs
• Locking mechanism
• Platform (stepladders only)
• Steps/treads (stepladders only)

If any of these components are damaged, worn or missing, or if they’re contaminated (i.e., dirty), the ladder can’t be used. Quarantine it until someone competent can inspect the equipment and resolve the issues.

This is only an overview of a pre-use check, not a how-to. You should be trained to carry them out on the equipment used in your workplace.

Pre-use checks are essential, but they’re not enough on their own. Ladders must also undergo regular detailed inspections to ensure they remain safe for use over time.

At appropriate intervals, someone competent must examine the ladders in your workplace, confirm they’re safe and record their findings.

There’s no firm rule for inspection frequency, but there are guidelines based on how often your ladders are used:

• Ladders used daily should be inspected every three months
• Ladders used weekly should be inspected every six months
• Ladders used once a month or less should be inspected annually

(Ladders used in harsh conditions should be inspected more often.)

If you can’t verify that a ladder has been inspected and passed in the appropriate timeframe, don’t use it. Wait until someone competent has taken it through the complete inspection procedure and confirmed there aren’t any issues.

Even if you’re using the right ladder and it’s in perfect condition, positioning it incorrectly can lead to accidents.

When setting up a leaning ladder, you should always follow the 1-in-4 rule to achieve the correct angle.

For every four units of height between the ground and the point where the ladder rests against a surface, the base of the ladder should be one unit away from that surface. So, a ladder leaning against a wall at a height of 4 metres must have its base set 1 metre out.

This position creates an angle of approximately 75 degrees, which is considered the safest for stability. If the angle is too steep, the ladder may tip backwards; if it’s too shallow, the base may slide out.

It’s also essential to consider where the top of the ladder meets the surface. It should only rest against a strong and stable surface, ideally a wall. Resting a ladder on plastic gutters, windowsills or any other weak facades can be extremely dangerous, as these are not designed to support the weight and could easily give way.

If these features are in your way, use a stand-off device. A stand-off device attaches to the top of the ladder and holds it away from the wall so it can rest against a more solid surface. A stand-off device is particularly useful when working around overhangs and roof edges.

Ladders should be secured to prevent them from tipping over or sliding out from under you. The Health and Safety Executive and Ladder Safety Association offer guidance on how to do this safely.

But there’s one common ladder safety mistake that needs to be addressed here: “Footing” a ladder is rarely the best way to prevent it from falling, and most of the time, it’s done incorrectly.

The traditional method of placing one foot on the bottom rung and one foot on the floor is ineffective. Instead, depending on the risk, you must:

• Place two feet on the floor with toes pressed against the stiles to help prevent the ladder from sliding away from the wall.
• Place both feet on the bottom rung so all of your weight is at the base of the ladder to help prevent it from tipping over.

Maintaining three points of contact when using a ladder is one of the most fundamental safety principles, yet it’s often forgotten.

When climbing up or down, your three points of contact should be two hands and one foot. Keep both hands on the ladder at all times and alternate feet on the rungs. And you must never carry equipment in your arms when you climb, as this occupies at least one hand. (Use a tool belt to hold your gear hands-free.)

When working, you should keep two feet on the rungs and grip the ladder with one hand. For quick tasks where you need both hands, your body can be the third point of contact. Lean against the ladder and keep both feet on it.

And if you do take your hands off the ladder for a task, don’t overreach. A good ladder tip is to keep your belt buckle (or navel if you’re not wearing a belt) between the stiles at all times to prevent tipping.

• Ensure ladder work is planned, supervised and carried out by someone competent, per the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
• Use the right type of ladder for the job, and never work from the top three rungs or steps.
• Perform a pre-use check on your ladder at the start of each workday and after any event that could have damaged it.
• Position your ladder at the correct 75-degree angle using the 1-in-4 rule and ensure it rests on a stable surface, using a stand-off device if necessary.
• Maintain three points of contact at all times when climbing or working on a ladder to prevent falls.
• Conduct regular, detailed inspections of ladders at appropriate intervals to ensure they remain safe and compliant with the Work at Height Regulations.

Ladder safety isn’t just about choosing the right ladder or positioning it correctly – regular inspections are crucial for safety and compliance.

To ensure your workplace is fully compliant with safety regulations, enrol in our online Ladder Inspection Training course. It’s designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to inspect ladders effectively, identify potential hazards and ensure they’re safe for use. It also covers how to document your inspections and includes a free e-checklist so you can record and file your findings digitally.