Ladder Safety FAQs

You must be competent to use a ladder at work. A competent person is someone who has relevant experience, knowledge and training.

A ladder must be inspected by the user before every time it is used.

Formal inspections must also take place. These inspections must be conducted by a competent person in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The frequency of formal inspections depends on the level of risk.

The belt buckle rule is keeping your belt buckle (which contains the tools you need for the job) in a position that means you don’t lean to one side and overbalance the ladder.

The belt buckle should be positioned with the weight on the front of your torso, in between the ladder’s rails.

There is no legal maximum height for a ladder. However, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommend that there are landing areas or rest platforms when a ladder is 9 metres or more.

Most accidents on ladders are caused by human error which is why ladder safety training is so important.

You must always ensure you have three points of contact on a ladder. This means having two feet and one hand on the ladder or two hands and one foot.

If you need to use a tool that requires two hands it will usually be assessed as too risky.

A general safety guideline for ladder use is to ensure the ladder is stable, placed on a level surface, and positioned at the correct angle (1:4 ratio). The 1:4 ratio means the base of the ladder should be one unit (e.g., metre or foot) away from the wall for every four units of height to ensure stability.

Always maintain three points of contact, avoid overreaching, and inspect the ladder for damage before use.

Ladder safety is important to prevent falls, injuries, and fatalities, which are among the most common workplace accidents.

Following ladder safety guidelines helps ensure compliance with the Work at Height Regulations 2005, which require employers and workers to use equipment safely and minimise risks when working at height.

Even low-level falls can cause serious injuries if safety precautions are not followed. A ladder should still be used correctly and in line with the Work at Height Regulations 2005. Risks must be assessed, and the ladder must be stable, properly positioned, and appropriate for the task.

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 govern ladder use in the UK, requiring employers and workers to ensure ladders are suitable, stable, and used only for low-risk, short-duration tasks.

Ladders must be inspected regularly, positioned correctly, and users must maintain three points of contact while working.

Employers are also required to assess risks and provide proper ladder safety training.

The maximum weight you can carry up a ladder depends on the ladder’s rating, but most ladders in the UK are designed to support a combined weight (user plus any tools or materials) of 150kg (23.5 stone).

Always check the manufacturer’s specifications and avoid exceeding the ladder’s load capacity to ensure safety.

A harness is generally not required when working on a ladder for low-risk, short-duration tasks, if the ladder is stable and properly positioned.

However, if there is a risk of falling or the task involves extended periods or higher-risk work, a harness or other fall protection may be necessary under the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

A risk assessment should determine whether a harness is required.

Before using a ladder, you should carry out a pre-use inspection and check for the following:

• Stiles – make sure they are straight and not bent, cracked, split, or damaged.
• Feet – check that all feet are present, secure, and the anti-slip material is in good condition.
• Rungs or steps – ensure they are not missing, loose, cracked, or contaminated with oil, grease, mud, or paint.
• Locking mechanisms – for stepladders, make sure spreader bars, hinges, or locking devices are fully engaged and undamaged.
• Overall condition – look for signs of corrosion, excessive wear, or unauthorised modification.

If a ladder is damaged or defective, do not use it and report it so it can be repaired or replaced.

There is no fixed legal time limit, but ladders should only be used for short-duration, low-risk work.

As a rule, if a task means working on a ladder for more than about 30 minutes at a time, you should consider a safer alternative such as a podium step, mobile tower, or scaffold.

Ladders should be stored in a way that prevents damage, deterioration, and unauthorised use.

Good practice includes:

• Storing ladders in a dry, well-ventilated area, away from moisture and chemicals.
• Keeping them out of direct sunlight and extreme temperatures, which can weaken materials such as timber or GRP.
• Storing ladders horizontally on proper racks or vertically with adequate support to prevent bending or warping.
• Securing ladders to prevent movement, theft, or unauthorised access.
• Keeping storage areas tidy so ladders are easy to inspect and remove safely.

Proper storage helps extend ladder life and reduces the risk of defects going unnoticed.

You should not stand on the top step or the top two rungs of a stepladder (or the top three rungs on a swing-back stepladder), unless the ladder is specifically designed with a standing platform and handhold.

Standing on the top steps significantly increases the risk of overbalancing and falling. Always work from a step that allows you to maintain your balance and, where possible, three points of contact.

It is too dangerous to use a ladder outdoors when conditions could affect its stability or grip.

You should not use a ladder in:

• High or gusty winds, which can cause loss of balance
• Heavy rain, where surfaces may become slippery
• Icy or frosty conditions, which reduce grip on rungs and the ground
• When the ground is uneven, soft, or waterlogged

Always make sure the ladder is positioned on firm, level ground and postpone work if weather conditions increase the risk of a fall.