Risk assessment - use of ladders

Using ladders in the workplace can be dangerous. Accidents may involve falling from height, resulting in serious injuries and even death.

Managing the risks

To help you identify the hazards associated with ladders and the appropriate ways of controlling them, use our example Risk Assessment - Use of Ladders. It covers the generic hazards associated with this type of activity and suggests control measures to reduce risks to an acceptable level.

Note. This risk assessment only deals with the use of ladders in the more common situations. You should be aware that working at height should be the exception not the rule, and a ladder may not necessarily be the best option for working at height. Ladder use should be restricted to work of a short duration, i.e. lasting no longer than 30 minutes. You should ensure that your risk assessment addresses “significant” hazards, i.e. any that could, and more importantly are likely to, cause an accident or injury. On completion of your document if you’re unable to introduce the relevant risk control measures, then you should consider an alternative means of access, such as a mobile elevated work platform, portable scaffolding or podium steps etc.

Make your instructions clear

Don’t include activities in your document that simply don’t need to be there. Work to the principle that if there is any chance of your staff being unaware of the safe way of doing something, then you will need to make it clear in your document. Finally, always ensure that any control measures you identify and follow are decided upon the principle of “so far as is reasonably practicable”.

Note. The list of potential hazards is not exhaustive. However, for your risk assessment to be considered suitable and sufficient in the eyes of the law it must accurately reflect the “significant” hazards found when using ladders.