Tool box talk Working at Height - Ladders and Stepladders

Toolbox Talk

Working at Height – Ladders and Stepladders

Falls from ladders account for the majority of accidents related to falls from height and it is important to remember that a person does not need to fall from a great height to be badly injured or even killed.

The Work at Height Regulations place duties on employers, self-employed people and anyone in control of the work of other persons (duty holders) to do all that is reasonably practicable to prevent anyone falling and to follow this simple hierarchy of control:

• Avoid working from height where possible.
• Where this cannot be avoided, take steps to prevent falls by using work equipment or other measures.
• Where the risk of a fall or object falling still remains, use work equipment or other measures to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall, should one occur.

Where the assessment deems ladders to be an appropriate means of accessing and working at height, duty holders must ensure that all relevant employees are provided training and instruction on the selection and safe use and positioning of leaning ladders and step ladders.

All ladders should:

• Be sufficiently strong and suitable, e.g. the correct length, for the task.
• (Q8) Be checked before use to ensure they are not damaged or have defected parts.
• Only be used for light duty, short duration work, e.g. up to 30 minutes.
• ( Q2) Only be used by one person at a time.
• Be stored securely when not in use.

Safe positioning of leaning ladders:

• Avoid placing ladders on back or side slopes, especially in wet conditions.
• (Q6) Ladders should be placed at a safe angle of approximately 75º (1 in 4 rule, e.g. 1 out for every 4 up).
• Ladders should not be positioned within 6 metres of overhead power lines (unless they have been disconnected or insulated).

• (Q7) Ladders should be secured at the top and bottom, or ‘footed’ by a colleague.
• Ladders used for access to another level should be tied.
• Check that each foot is on a clean level firm footing.

Safe positioning of stepladders:
• Stepladders should be checked to ensure the anti spread device, e.g. cords, clips, brackets is not damaged.



• Check folding mechanism, e.g. hinges, pins, rivets etc.
• Always ensure the legs of the stepladder are fully extended before use.
• All four feet must be in contact with the ground.


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• Avoid working side-on.

• (Q4) Stepladders should have a secure handhold not less than 1 metre above the highest level reached by your feet.

Safe use of ladders for workers - Do’s and Don’ts:-


• (Q9) Do check ladders before use to ensure they are sound and not damaged or have defective parts - report any defects to a supervisor or site manager.

• Do use both hands when climbing ladders (tools and materials can be hoisted up afterwards).

• (Q1) Do try to maintain three points of contact when working on a ladder, e.g. both feet and one hand or, if using a stepladder, both feet and body supported by the stepladder.

• Do ensure a firm footing is provided for the ladder.

• Do wear appropriate footwear.

• (Q5) Don’t use a wooden ladder that has been painted.

• (Q3) Don’t use a ladder in an area where it may be struck by vehicles or pedestrians unless protected with suitable barriers or cones.

• Don’t use a ladder in an area where it may be pushed over by other hazards, e.g.
doors or windows, unless, where appropriate, the doors or windows are secured.

• Don’t work off the top three rungs of a leaning ladder – this provides a handhold.

• Don’t work further than the top two steps of a stepladder unless it has a suitable handrail.

• Don’t place boards between two stepladders to provide a working platform.

• Don’t use ladders unless the task has been suitably risk assessed.

• Don’t overreach – keep your belt buckle (navel) inside the stiles and both feet on the same rung throughout the task.




Always inspect ladders before using them and immediately report any defect or unsafe working practices.