When it comes to navigating elevation in our homes and workplaces, stairs and ladders serve similar purposes but have fundamental differences in their design and functionality. Understanding these key differences will help you choose the right tool for your needs, whether you’re doing home improvement, construction or simply moving from one level to another.

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Transporting a ladder can be a challenging task, especially if you only have a car at your disposal (as opposed to a van or truck).

We know it can be tempting to just stick the ladder in your car boot and begin your journey home, but there are a number of laws in place that you risk breaking if you allow the ladder to overhang your vehicle.

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Working at height carries many risks. Using your equipment safely will mitigate most of them, and this includes using your ladder properly.

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Ladder owners must be aware of the risks associated with working on a ladder and take the necessary precautions before doing so. One such precaution is performing a pre-use check before each use to ensure there are no signs of damage to your ladder. A damaged or faulty ladder could collapse with you on it and cause a nasty fall.

To avoid this, here's a handy guide on how to inspect a ladder...

Ladder inspection checklist

According to HSE (Health and Safety Executive), you must check the following when inspecting a ladder:

1. Stiles

Make sure the stiles (also known as the side rails) are not bent or damaged in any way, or else the ladder could collapse beneath you.

2. Feet

Check to see if they are missing, worn, or damaged. Make sure the anti-slip surfaces are also undamaged. If so, the ladder could slip as you use it.

3. Rungs

Are they bent? Worn? Missing? Loose? If so, you could fall while using the ladder. More...

In most situations, you can use a ladder alone. If you’re at home and a bulb or smoke alarm battery needs changing, you can set up a step ladder or step stool to tackle the job on your own.

But is it really safe to use a ladder alone? Read on to find out more.

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