Over three years, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) conducted a study on falls from height in the food and drink industry. They found that 40% of all injuries were caused by ladder falls, making it the leading risk when working at height. This is why we’re constantly campaigning for ladder regulations in the UK to be taken seriously by employers, employees, and everyone else in the area.

To make this simpler, our height safety experts at Altus Safety have put together this ladder safety testing guide. By answering how often should a ladder be inspected and giving guidance on visual inspections, you’ll have the peace of mind that your team are safe when using safety ladders while working at height.

Let’s dive right into it.

Safety Using Ladders: An Overview

To ensure safety when using ladders while working, make sure that you follow the UK ladder regulations. These are outlined in the Work at Heights Regulations 2005, which details key safety regulations for anyone working at heights to reduce the risk of falls and injuries.

The ladder regulations for the UK include:

1. All employers must carry out proper planning to ensure the work is low-risk. If it’s too high-risk or the work will be carried out for a longer period of time, other solutions should be assessed that could be more suitable than a ladder.

2. Employers must organise proper supervision and training for the use of the ladder.

3. Only ladders or stepladders that have no visible defects and have been tested according to British standards can be used. They should have had a preliminary check every working day before being used.

4. An up-to-date record of the detailed visual ladder inspections carried out regularly by a competent person should be maintained and readily available. Ladders that are part of a scaffold system still have to be inspected every seven days as part of the scaffold inspection requirements.

5. Only use ladders that are suitable for the intended use and follow safe user directions, such as placing the ladder on a stable surface and maintaining three points of contact at all times when in use (such as two hands and one foot).

6. Ensuring that safety ladders have been maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

If you’re unsure of how to correctly use ladders, we recommend taking a look at our Frequently Asked Questions About Safety Ladders for more information.

What are Detailed Visual Height Safety Inspections?

Detailed visual inspections should be carried out at fixed intervals. These inspections can be done by a competent member of staff and any issues with the ladder will need to be immediately reported to a manager.

When carrying out a height safety inspection, keep in mind the UK ladder regulations and look for:

• Damaged or worn ladder feet

• Twisted, bent or dented stiles

• Cracked, worn, bent or loose rungs

• Missing or damaged tie rods

• Cracked or damaged welded joints, loose rivets or damaged stays.

It’s important to note that detailed visual height safety inspections aren’t the same as ladder testing, which is a more thorough inspection of your working at heights equipment carried out by a professional - like a member of our experienced Height Safety Equipment Inspectors at Altus.

What are Detailed Visual Height Safety Inspections?

Detailed visual inspections should be carried out at fixed intervals. These inspections can be done by a competent member of staff and any issues with the ladder will need to be immediately reported to a manager.

When carrying out a height safety inspection, keep in mind the UK ladder regulations and look for:

• Damaged or worn ladder feet

• Twisted, bent or dented stiles

• Cracked, worn, bent or loose rungs

• Missing or damaged tie rods

• Cracked or damaged welded joints, loose rivets or damaged stays.

It’s important to note that detailed visual height safety inspections aren’t the same as ladder testing, which is a more thorough inspection of your working at heights equipment carried out by a professional - like a member of our experienced Height Safety Equipment Inspectors at Altus.

How Often Should a Ladder Be Inspected?

Our ladder compliance testing is carried out in accordance with PUWER 1998 and BS EN 795 and BS 7883 2019 standards, which state that all height safety equipment (including ladders) should be inspected at least every 12 months.

During the inspection, specialist equipment will be used to assess the condition of your ladders and check that they’re suitable for use. We’ll also ensure your team has the right personal protective equipment (PPE) and training to use the ladders safely.

Alongside testing, we’ll be happy to help recommend ladder solutions for your on-site work. This can include caged ladders and fall arrest ladders for greater safety when working at heights, as well as additional solutions - including mobile man anchors - to reduce the risk of falls.

What are Preliminary Height Safety Checks?

Preliminary height safety checks are the inspections carried out on your equipment before work begins. These are essential for ensuring the initial safety of teams and creating a safe working environment. Preliminary checks should be carried out by a trained Height Safety Equipment Inspector.

When assessing your ladders to ensure they meet UK ladder regulations, preliminary safety checks we’ll carry out include:

• Ensuring the stiles aren’t bent or damaged to prevent the possibility of the ladder collapsing when in use.
  

• Checking that the feet of the ladder aren’t worn, damaged, or missing to avoid the ladder slipping. It’s also important when a ladder moves from a soft or dirty type of ground (such as dug soil, loose sand or stone, or a dirty workshop) to a solid surface that the debris from the first ground type isn’t in the way of the ladder foot touching the ground.

• Ensuring the rungs aren’t bent, worn, loose, or missing.

• Testing that the ladder’s locking mechanism is working correctly, with all components in good condition and engaging fully for a secure, safe lock.

• Assessing the condition of the steps or treads of stepladders to ensure they’re not slippery or loose. We’ll also ensure the stepladder platform is in good condition, keeping an eye out for any splits, dents, or buckling that could indicate a problem.

When carrying out your own ladder safety checks, if you notice any of the issues mentioned above then immediately stop using the ladder and notify your employer. You may also need to add a ‘Do not use’ sign to the ladder to prevent others from accessing the site on faulty equipment.

Work With Professionals to Meet UK Ladder Regulations

From answering questions like how often should a ladder be inspected and what should I do if my ladder has a faulty foot to carrying out testing to meet ladder regulations in the UK, our team is always happy to help. As the UK’s leading height safety equipment specialists, your team’s safety is in good hands when working with us.

If your ladders are in need of annual recertification or you have a question about compliance, get in touch with our team today. We can also talk more about how you can save money by choosing our 3 and 5-ear height safety contracts.