Ladder safety rules at work in the UK

Ladders are allowed at work in the UK, but they are suitable only when a risk assessment shows they are the right equipment for the task. For work covered by the Great Britain Work at Height Regulations 2005, a ladder is justified where the risk is low and the short duration of use, or site features that cannot be altered, mean more suitable equipment is not justified. A ladder is not a default answer to every job above ground level. Planning, competence, condition and safe positioning all matter.

Decide whether a ladder is appropriate

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says work at height should be avoided where reasonably practicable. If it cannot be avoided, employers should prevent falls using an existing safe place or suitable equipment. If a fall risk remains, they should reduce its distance and consequences. A ladder may make sense for a low-risk, short-duration task after that assessment. A platform or other equipment may be more suitable for heavy, prolonged or awkward work.

Schedule 6 to the Work at Height Regulations 2005 sets the ladder-specific test. An employer must ensure a ladder is used for work at height only where a risk assessment shows that more suitable equipment is not justified because the risk is low and the use is short, or because of site features that cannot be altered. This is a decision about the particular job, not a blanket permission for all tasks in the business.

Plan the task and choose the equipment

HSE says work at height must be properly planned, supervised and carried out by competent people. Consider what the worker must carry, whether both hands are needed, how long the task will take, the condition of the ground and whether the ladder can be secured. The person should be able to reach the work without leaning beyond the ladder's sides. HSE advises using ladders for light work of short duration, with a maximum of 30 minutes at a time as guidance rather than an automatic legal allowance.

Use a ladder long enough for the task and follow its instructions. The rating and condition must suit the user, tools and materials. If a job involves strenuous force, side loading or repeated trips with bulky items, reassess whether a different access method is safer. A ladder should not be propped on pallets, bricks or other movable objects to gain extra height.

Check before use

HSE advises a pre-use check each working day and after anything that could affect the ladder's condition. Look for damaged stiles, rungs or steps, loose or missing feet, defective locking mechanisms and contamination that could cause slipping. For a stepladder, check that all four feet touch a firm, level surface and that locking devices are engaged. A damaged ladder should be taken out of use until it has been assessed and dealt with appropriately.

Pre-use checks are different from a more detailed inspection. Employers should decide inspection intervals according to the work, use and conditions, and keep equipment in a safe state. HSE's ladder guidance explains how to check different types, including telescopic and combination ladders, whose locking systems need particular attention. Staff should know who to tell when they find a defect.

Position and secure a leaning ladder

The ladder must rest on a stable, firm surface and be positioned to remain stable. HSE recommends the “one in four” angle: place the base one unit out for every four units up, approximately 75 degrees. Secure it against slipping, for example by tying it to a suitable point. HSE says a stability device may be used where tying is not practicable, while footing is a last resort. Do not rest the top against weak surfaces such as glazing or plastic gutters.

Face the rungs when climbing, grip the ladder and avoid carrying objects in your hands. Keep three points of contact while climbing and, wherever possible, at the work position. HSE advises against working from the top three rungs of a leaning ladder. When using it for access, the ladder should extend above the landing so there is a safe handhold. Keep the area below clear where falling tools or materials could harm others.

Use a stepladder safely

Set a stepladder on a firm, level surface with all four feet in contact and the locks engaged. Position it to face the work where possible. Avoid overreaching and heavy side loading. HSE says not to stand and work on the top three steps unless there is a suitable handhold. At the working position, aim for two feet and one hand in contact; for brief light work needing both hands, the body can be supported by the stepladder as HSE describes.

The fact that a task takes only a few minutes does not remove the need to assess it. If the worker cannot maintain a secure position, the ladder cannot be stabilised or the task needs significant force, select equipment that provides a safer working place. The work at height plan should also consider access, falling objects and what to do in an emergency.

Frequently asked questions