November 11, 2005—In conjunction with the UK’s Ladder Safety Week November 14-18, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published new free guides to help raise awareness of the risks associated with ladder use and to give advice on how to use ladders safely. The guides, aimed at all users of ladders and their employers, consist of:
- “Safe use of ladders and stepladders—an employers’ guide” (pdf file), which covers when to use a ladder, how to choose the right ladder for the job, preventing the ladder from slipping, handholds, making sure the ladder is in good condition, training competent users, and maintenance requirements;
- “A toolbox talk on leaning ladder and stepladder safety” (pdf file), for employers giving refresher training to ladder users concerning hazards and pre-use checks, correct positioning, and safe use; and
- “Top tips for ladder and stepladder safety” (pdf file), a pocket card for workers, giving the above key messages on ladder use in a portable format.
In 2004, 13 people in the UK died from falls while working on a ladder, and more than 1200 people suffered major injuries, reports HSE. Each year, nearly a third of major injuries from falls from height are caused by falls from ladders.
HSE’s guidance builds on the Work at Height Regulations 2005, effective April 6, which state that a ladder should only be used where a risk assessment demonstrates that the use of more suitable work equipment is not justified because of the low risk and short duration of use or existing features on site that cannot be altered, and that a ladder should be in good condition, prevented from slipping, and used by competent people.
