September 2022

Safety Articleat Height
IN THE KNOW...
Werner, a leading manufacturer and distributor of ladders and access equipment, is
championing health and safety training with the launch of its new campaign ‘Stepping
up to Ladder Safety’. In this mini-series, Trevor Rabson, Werner’s Training Manager, will
look at why training is so important when it comes to working at height safely, what
contractors need to consider, and how best practice can make all the difference between
safe working and potential injuries.
In his second instalment, Trevor discusses the importance of knowing how to use a
ladder safely and how to follow best practice, starting with some crucial #ladderfacts:
#ladderfacts
• Ladders and stepladders are not banned under
health and safety law.
• A risk assessment should be undertaken to
assess whether a ladder is the right piece of
equipment for a job.
• Ladders should not be used for jobs that will
take longer than 30 minutes.
• Short duration should NOT be the deciding
factor in establishing whether use of a ladder is
acceptable – risk should be.
• Ladders should only be used in situations
where they can be used safely, e.g. where the
ladder will be level and stable, and can be
secured – where it is reasonably practicable to do
so.
“Experience only
counts if it is based on
using a ladder safely
and correctly”
The guidance calls for a sensible, proportionate
approach to managing risk, and ladders can be a
sensible and practical option for low-risk, shortduration
tasks. They can be used for work at
height when a risk assessment has shown that
using equipment that offers a higher level of fall
protection is not justified.
Images: Werner has launched its Stepping up to Ladder Safety campaign and an Inspecting Your Ladder guide.
Once this has been decided, there are simple and working under the supervision of a competent
sensible precautions you should adhere to to stay person.
safe when using ladders in the workplace.
But what is competence? Competence can be
shown via a combination of training, practical and
Know how to use a ladder safely
theoretical knowledge and experience. However,
According to the Health and Safety Executive
experience only counts if it is based on using a
(HSE), to use a ladder you must be competent
ladder safely and correctly.
or, if you are being trained, you should be
58 TC SEPTEMBER 2022