Health and Safety: Ladders

The ladder should be checked to ensure its in a good condition before use. You should also use the class type of ladder for the job/work required: Class 1 (Industrial) Duty Rating - 130kg (20 stone) Class 2 Duty Rating - 110kg (17 stone) Class 3 (Domestic) Duty Rating - 95kg (15 stone)

Two people should erect the ladder. Place the ladder on the ground, ladder bottom end near the grounding point for the climb with the ladder top end facing outwards from the grounding point for the climb. Have the person at the bottom end ground the ladder using their foot to prevent movement thus holding the ladder in a static point. The person at the top end should pick up the ladder using safe manual handling techniques (straight back, bend at the knees) and walk the ladder upwards one rung at a time until the ladder is fully vertical. Once the ladder is fully vertical each person should stand on either side gripping one up (on stile) one down (on rung) and side foot the ladder at the front base to prevent toppling. If the ladder has an extension section both persons gripping the same rung with one hand and the other hand on the stile, can move the extension upwards safely. Ensure to lock into place with a firm downwards motion so the locking clips are firmly on a rung once the desired height has been achieved. Remember to make sure that longer extension ladders (over 18 rungs) have an overlap of at least three rungs. Shorter ones (up to 18 rungs) need a minimum overlap of two. Lower the ladder against the area you intend to climb ensuring obstacles do not impede the climb and the resting area at the top of the ladder can support the weight. To work out the correct angle for the ladder the ratio is for every 4 metres up to the landing point the ladder should be 1 metre out (approximately 75 degrees). Once the ladder has been adjusted to the correct angle one person should foot the ladder whilst the other climbs up maintaining three points of contact on the ladder e.g. 2 hands on 1 foot off, 1 hand off 2 feet on. To safely bring down the ladder follow the above steps in reverse order, as follows: Pull ladder away from climbing area one hand up (on stile) one hand down (on rung) whilst side footing at the ladder base front to prevent toppling. Lower the extension to the bottom rung and lock into place. One person switch to behind the ladder whilst the other in front. The person behind the ladder needs to foot the base, whilst the other person walks the ladder backwards thus lowering the ladder safely to the ground. Once the ladder is down, pick it up again following safe manual handling techniques (straight back, bend the knees) and store carefully for the next job.