Free ladder safety training checklist and classifications

As an accredited health and safety training provider we got asked lots of question about ladder safety so have put together this article to provide ladder users with a useful ladder safety inspection checklist and information about the different ladder use classifications all in one place.

The first question that we get asked lots at AT&F HQ is:

Are ladders now banned?

No is the simple answer, ladders are not banned. They can be used for low-risk, short duration work and where a risk assessment shows that other more suitable work equipment could not be used due to the layout / restrictions of the work area.

However, before using a ladder you must conduct a pre safety check.

Before starting any task, you should always carry out a 'pre-use' check to spot any obvious visual defects to make sure the ladder is safe and fit for use especially after something has changed, eg a ladder that has been dropped or moved from a dirty area to a clean area (it important to check the state or condition of the feet in this instance)

They should be checked before every use and regularly by a competent person every 3 to 6 months.

Ladder Safety checklist

When carrying out a pre-check you should:

• Check the Stiles - If the stiles appear to be bent or split this could cause the ladder to collapse.

• Check the Feet - If the feet are missing, worn or damaged the risk of the ladder slipping increases.

• Check the Rungs - If the rungs are bent, missing or lose the chance of falling again increases, as the ladder can easily become unstable.

• Check Locking Bars - If you are using a stepladder you should check the locking bars and ensure that they are not bent and the fixings are not worn or damaged.

• Check the Platform - If you are using a platform stepladder you also need to check the platform for any defects, such as the platform being split or buckled.

If you notice any defects on your ladder you should not use the equipment, tag and label it as faulty.  

Another question often asked is what is the maximum height you can work from a ladder?

There is no maximum height for using a ladder. However, where a ladder rises 9 metres or more above its base, landing areas or rest platforms should be provided at suitable intervals.

Ladder Classifications and how to know which ladder is suitable for the task

All ladders manufactured and supplied within the United Kingdom and the European Union should be manufactured to specified standards and correctly classified. These requirements apply to all portable ladder types and include both step ladders, platform steps and extension ladders. Specialist single use ladders, (eg; pole ladders, loft ladders), and fixed access ladders, (eg; static roof access ladders), are not intended for classification under these standards.

There are three main classifications of ladder
Class 1, Class EN131, Class III.

Each classification indicates the safe working load that a ladder is designed to support.

The value of the safe working load is intended to cover the weight of a single person and their equipment and is also referred to as the MSVL  ‘Maximum Static Vertical Load’.

These classifications can be broadly categorised into the type of use that a ladder has been designed to support, as an example Heavy Duty Industrial Use, Commercial Light Trade Use and also Light Domestic Use.

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