Is it safe to use ladders

Right now there are some 14 fatal accidents on the job every year connected with ladders and step ladders and there are 1226 major personal injuries, 60% of those killed or severely injured had fallen from below head height.

Precisely what reason would you make if an untrained employee died or had been critically injured falling from a ladder?

Falls from height are classified as the number 1 reason for workplace fatalities and one of the chief causes of serious accidental injury on the job. Almost one third of falls are from ladders, and cost the united kingdom economy approximately £60 million each year.
Source: HSE Gov.uk/statistics

Injuries involved with ladders are all too commonplace, and many businesses possess a minumum of one ladder.

The reason is usually simple.

The ladder slips or tilts at the very top, or slips outwards at the base.

In some instances, part of the ladder fails because of its extremely substandard condition. Gravity means that you simply go one way. And it's not the fall which hurts but the impact with the ground.

A lot of companies have past experiences of these kinds of accidents. They come about in the course of routine construction activity, routine maintenance activities, building repair or cleaning work, being able to access plant etc.

Is there a responsibility regarding management to provide safety training with regard to individuals that climb ladders?

You bet, the existing Health and safety legislation 'The Work at Height Regulations: 2005 says
All those working at height need to be trained to work at height and this includes working on ladders and step ladders.

The HSE says: "Anyone at work who uses or specifies the use of ladders needs adequate information and training so that they understand there limitations and safe use."

We need to understand the fact that working with a ladder or a step ladder is not really as simple as we first thought!

Incidents relating to ladders are all much too frequent, and many companies possess at least one ladder.

The 3 main reasons for ladder related deaths along with accidents happen mainly because:


The ladder slides or perhaps falls as a result of individuals overreaching

Ladders not secured properly

The ladder was in a poor state of repair
Gravity usually means you only go one way. And it's certainly not the fall which injures but the impact with the ground.

Ladders are generally for brief duration use only, however we should make certain that for the period of time we have been using the ladder we are as safe as is possible.

This is why instruction is really so very important, in order that you have the essential know-how as well as understanding to make certain we are effective in what we are working on and also have a thorough understanding of your ladders limitations, consequently permitting us to undertake the job and go back home safe after a day's work.


Any sort of Ladder training should include:

Why ladder accidents are happening?

Fundamental concepts: ladder types together with applications

Access selection considerations

Ladder classifications & legal guidelines

Principal reasons for accidents

Ladder & step ladder principles and methods

Ladder & step ladder variations

Components currently on the market that make ladder safer

Before use factors to consider, for example location and stableness

Good as well as bad practice, together with best practice

Golden rules with regard to safe use of ladders and step ladders

Harness and lanyard fitting, choice along with appropriateness

Ladder specific height safety equipment choice and suitability

Propriety ladder stabilising as well as securing systems

HSE research and new requirements

Ladder Inspection and also documentation

Right now more than ever good management ought to be proactive in building safe systems and methods of work.