If you’ve got a DIY task to get done and only a short space of time, it’s understandable that you may not want to deal with the hassle of bringing out a ladder, especially if the job will only take you 5 minutes! Luckily, for many short DIY tasks, you can use a hop-up step instead of a full ladder to get that little bit of extra reach. But how do you know when a hop-up is suitable for your task and when you should get a ladder out? This blog will explain!

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If you use a step ladder at home for your general DIY or cleaning jobs, you may not think you need to take any precautions before you climb – after all, you’re only a couple of feet off the ground, so that surely isn’t considered ‘working at height’ right? Wrong! It is the risk of injury, not the height itself that defines ‘working at height’. Let’s dig into this a little further…

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When working with ladders, planning ahead is crucial, and the best way to do this is to carry out a thorough risk assessment. The Ladder Association provides a systematic way to identify hazards and plan work safely known as the “STEP” methodology. This risk assessment framework ensures user safety while using ladders by breaking down the planning process into four key components. Site, Task, Equipment and People.

For a full breakdown of this methodology, keep reading this blog!

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Before carrying out any kind of work using a ladder, it is essential that you carry out a pre-use check to spot any obvious visual defects and ensure the ladder is safe to use. This pre-use check should be carried out by the user before every single use of the ladder, while detailed visual assessments should be carried out every three to six months or in accordance with the manufacturer guidelines.

For our top tips on how to spot an unsafe ladder, keep reading this blog!

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While ladders are a useful tool for quick tasks that require reaching higher ground, there is a risk of your ladder slipping while you’re using it, which can lead to serious injuries.  In fact, in the UK during 2023/24, ladders were involved in nearly 40% of the 50 workplace fatalities from fall from height, with thousands more suffering serious non-fatal injuries from falls from ladders.

So, how do ladders not slip and what steps can you take to ensure that your ladder doesn’t slip why you’re using it? Keep reading this blog to find out…

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