Ladders and step ladders are standard tools used in various industries and households, allowing people to work at heights and access hard-to-reach areas. However, accidents involving ladders can be severe, life-changing, or life-threatening. Falls from heights, especially involving ladders, are common and risky. Ladders contribute to a third of all fall injuries in workplaces and homes.
This blog will provide all the information about ladder safety and compliance, including selecting the right ladder for the task. We'll cover regulatory standards such as the Working at Height Regulations 2005 (WAHR) and the Health and Safety at Work Act. We'll also discuss what ladder training is and the benefits of attending such training for the safe use of ladders.
Whether you're an employer looking to ensure your employees' safety or an individual looking to improve your skills, this post will help you get started with ladder training.
Ladder Training Course: Understanding Ladder Safety
Ladder training should be a top priority for anyone working at height, including safety professionals and those who use ladders and stepladders as part of their job role.
Training should match the task, covering how to assess risks and when to use a ladder. Course content will also cover practical steps like choosing the correct ladder, ladder setup, proper use, ladder maintenance, and ladder inspection.
Following ladder safety best practices, you can create a safe work environment and minimise the risk of accidents. Check out our online training course. The Ladder Safety Training course will enhance your knowledge and help you comply with work equipment regulations.
Regulatory Standards for Ladders
Regulatory standards play a vital role in ensuring the safety of ladders and the individuals who use them. The Health and Safety Executive is the public body in the United Kingdom responsible for regulating and enforcing health and safety laws in the workplace.
- The Work at Height Regulations (WAHR) defines the legal responsibilities of employers, employees, and self-employed individuals working at height, involving risk assessments, control measures, ladder safety training, and staying updated on regulation changes for compliance.
- The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998 require regular inspections of work equipment, including ladders, to ensure their suitability for use.
- The Health and Safety at Work Act requires employers to ensure safe ladder use through proper training, maintenance, and compliance measures to prevent injuries.
- The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulation (RIDDOR) 2013 requires all major fall injuries to be reported.
Work at Height Regulations (WAHR)
The WAHRs were enacted to avoid death and harm from falls from great heights. The regulations apply if you are an employer or have authority over work (for example, facilities managers or building owners who may contract people to work at height).
The WAHRs require risk assessments for work-at-height activities, implementing control measures to reduce the risk of accidents, providing ladder safety training as needed, and staying informed of any updates or changes to the regulations.
Working at Height Regulations and Ladder Awareness Training
These regulations state that to use a ladder safely, you need to either be skilled or, if you're in training, make sure you're under the guidance of someone skilled. Competence is shown through training, both practical and theoretical, knowledge and experience.
Health and Safety at Work Act and Ladder Safety
Ladder users have responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations. These include:
- Taking reasonable care for their safety and the safety of others.
- Cooperating with employers.
- Refrain from misusing or interfering with safety measures.
- Using equipment properly and following instructions and training.
- Reporting dangerous situations and protection shortcomings to the employer.
Even when employees provide their own ladder, the employer is still responsible for ensuring its suitability and safety.
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations and Ladder Safety
Any ladder used for work falls under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), which places responsibilities on suppliers and users to ensure the safe use of work machinery. Suppliers must ensure that the ladder is suitable for its intended use, well-maintained, and inspected by a competent person at specified intervals. It's recommended to check the ladder before each use, and if any doubt arises about its condition, it should not be used. When selecting a ladder, it is essential to consider its classifications to ensure that it is appropriate for the task.
Regular, planned inspections by a competent person are advised based on usage frequency: monthly for daily use, every three months for monthly use, and annually for infrequent use. Records of inspections should be kept, and if there's any sign of damage, the ladder should not be used, and advice from the supplier or manufacturer should be sought.
RIDDOR: Incident Reporting and Ladder Safety
RIDDOR is the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations. It is a legal requirement in the United Kingdom that mandates employers, the self-employed, and individuals in control of work premises to report and record certain work-related accidents, injuries, diseases, and dangerous occurrences.
RIDDOR is important for those working at height because it mandates reporting accidents and incidents that occur during elevated work. This includes falls from height, helping authorities and employers understand the risks involved and implement better safety measures. Reporting incidents under RIDDOR is crucial for improving safety when working at height.
The Importance of Ladder Safety Training in Ensuring Compliance and Keeping Workers Safe
Not only is training a demonstration of competence as required in the WAHRs but ladder safety training helps prevent accidents and injuries caused by improper ladder use. It educates individuals on properly setting up, using, and inspecting ladders and essential safety precautions. This training reduces the risk of falls and ensures a safe working environment.
What is involved in ladder training?
Ladder training and Working at Height training educate individuals on the safe and proper use of ladders. It covers ladder selection, inspection, setup, and climbing techniques. By providing this training, employers can prevent falls and injuries in the workplace.
The Benefits of Ladder Training
As well as fulfilling employer responsibilities and legislative compliance, ladder training will reduce the likelihood of accidents and injuries associated with ladder usage. Course completion ensures employees meet safety standards outlined by regulatory bodies, enhances employee skills in safe ladder handling, and lowers insurance expenses by showcasing a dedication to safety. There are also benefits to the productivity and efficiency of a work area as downtime from ladder-related incidents is minimised.
Does My Job Involve Working at Height?
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 applies to all operations carried out at height, regardless of:
- The work equipment being used;
- The duration of the work;
- The height at which the work is performed.
Work at height is defined as:
Work in any place where; if there were no precautions, a person could fall a distance and be liable to cause personal injury.
Who Should Attend a Ladder Safety Course?
Employees who use ladders in their job duties and supervisors or managers overseeing ladder use should attend ladder training. This training applies to industries like construction, maintenance, and cleaning services. Both experienced and inexperienced workers can benefit from ladder training.
Employees have a general legal duty to take reasonable care of themselves and others who may be affected by their actions. You must cooperate with your employer and comply with all their health and safety duties and requirements.
Get Started with Our Working from Height Ladder Safety Training Course
The Commodious Working at Height training course raises awareness of the dangers of using ladders and stepladders at work. Upon completion of the course, you will be able to download a printable certificate. This can be taken as a single course or as part of a bundle with our Manual Handling Awareness training course and our CoSHH training course.
Ladder training provides numerous benefits, including increased knowledge and awareness, improved skills, and enhanced confidence when working at heights. It is essential for anyone who works with ladders or is responsible for the safety of others in the workplace.
If you want to ensure a safe and compliant work environment, start ladder training today.
