The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has put various restrictions and regulations in place to help reduce the risks associated with ladders and step ladders. In this blog, we will run through the laws and safety guidelines that currently apply to ladder usage in the UK – let’s get started!
When to Use a Ladder at Work
The HSE’s guidelines state that ladders should only be used when “an assessment of the risk for carrying out a task has shown that using equipment that offers a higher level of fall protection is not justified”. Workers must only use ladders if there is a low risk and if the task will take less than 30 minutes, otherwise alternative equipment should be used.
The law also states that to use a ladder, you must be competent (or, if you are being trained, you must be working under the supervision of a competent person). Training should include:
- Knowing how to assess the risks of using a ladder
- Knowing when it is right to use a ladder
- Knowing what type of ladder to use and how to use it safely
How to Use a Ladder Safely
Ladders must be inspected before each use to ensure they are in good working order. See How to Inspect a Ladder if you’re not sure what to look for. If you spot any defects, you must not use the ladder and should tell the person in charge of the work.
Once you have completed your pre-use inspection, there are a number of precautions you should take to minimise the risk of falling. For more information on what to do and what not to do when using a ladder, see Working Safely at Height: A Guide where we explain the precautions you should take in accordance with the HSE’s working at height regulations.
Product Standards
The previous standards for ladders (BS2037 and BS1129) have been withdrawn; however, ladders originally made to these standards are still permitted to be used as long as they are deemed to be in safe working order.
EN131 is the new and improved regulation for ladders in the UK. Introduced in 2018, the EN131 standard was created to ensure that appropriate stability, slip, durability and strength precautions are in place for ladder use (as these are the key areas that make up the majority of ladder-related accidents).
The EN131 regulation also includes the following essential criteria:
- All ladders should have a weight capacity of 150kg
- Ladders over 3m must feature stabilisers
- Ladders should undergo additional slip and strength tests in the position of use
- Free-standing ladders should undergo a cyclic durability test
- Ladders should undergo additional bend, strength, torsion, opening restraints, hinge and lateral deflection tests
Provided they can pass these tests, the ladders will be deemed worthy of EN131 certification. However, it is worth noting that the EN131 regulation is a guideline and not compulsory by law, although HSE and Trading Standards expect all manufacturers to comply.
At Ladders UK Direct, all of our ladders conform to UK ladder regulations, so you can be sure that any ladders you purchase from us are reliable and safe to use.
For more information on UK ladder regulations or our product range, don’t hesitate to get in touch and a member of our team will be happy to help!
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