It’s OK to use ladders and stepladders on site as long as you consider the following in your risk assessment:
- What task are you doing?
- What height do you need to be at?
- What equipment do you need to carry out the task?
- Are the site conditions safe?
- Is the site location safe?
- How long will you be doing this task for?
- What other risks are associated with this task?
You can use a ladder to work at height on a construction site as long as your risk assessment has not indicated that a higher level of fall protection is required. This could be because of the low risk and short duration of the task (less than 30 minutes), or because other equipment is not suitable due to the layout and site features of the work area.
When Should You NOT Use a Ladder?
If weather conditions are poor, the ground is unstable or the ladder cannot be secured, you should avoid using a ladder and opt for alternative equipment.
If your ladder has failed its safety inspection or you do not feel competent in ladder usage, you should also NOT use the ladder and instead find a safe replacement and consult someone who is trained to use a ladder at work.
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Unsafe ladder use is a leading cause of workplace accidents, which is why before you use a ladder on site you must be well versed on the essential ladder safety rules. Not being aware of or not following these rules can cause serious injuries to yourself and those around you, so it is crucial that before you use a ladder on site, you have carried out a thorough risk assessment and ladder inspection.
At Ladders UK Direct, we carry a huge selection of ladders and stepladders, so regardless of the task at hand, you should be able to find a ladder that suits your needs in our collection.
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If you have any questions about using ladders on site, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here at Ladders UK Direct and a member of our team will be happy to help!
