Ladder Safety

One in three reported accidents involve a ladder so their safe use is very important. There are different types of ladders for different tasks. All come with health and safety risks, and these risks are amplified if the wrong type of ladder is used or if it is used in an unsafe way. This course is for all employees who use a ladder to carry out their duties. By the end of the course you will be able to:

• Choose the correct ladder for the task
• Identify when the use of a ladder is inappropriate
• Inspect a ladder prior to use
• Use a ladder safely.

You must pass the assessment at the end of the course to receive your certificate. Whether you are working at a construction site or carrying out DIY work at home, it is important to know how to safely use ladders. Poor ladder safety has led to many deaths and injuries. About a quarter of workplace fatalities in the UK are a result of falling from a height, while about 48,000 visits made to the A&E departments are due to ladder accidents in and around the home. This course is targeted at those that use ladders in the workplace. Not just in construction, but also in other areas such as janitorial, maintenance, and servicing work. Even for those that just occasionally need to make use of ladders, it is advisable to refresh or update your knowledge of how these implements should be safely used. Legally, there are requirements under the Work at Height Regulations 2005 that impose a duty of care upon employers to their employees who could fall at a distance liable to cause personal injury. These regulations make it important for employers to try and avoid having employees work from a height, and where this is necessitated, ensure there is correct equipment and practices that will prevent falls. Ladder safety training helps to educate learners on how they can safely use ladders if the situation warrants it. There are different types of ladders, so it is important to distinguish them and identify the suitable choice for the task. Ladder safety also covers how to ensure a ladder is safe for use. Besides the use of the wrong type of ladder, many falls are caused by the use of ladders that are not in good working condition or are simply unsafe. As part of the training, we will cover the kind of risk assessment an individual should make when using a ladder. This includes:

• What duration of ladder use is safe for tasks
• How to correctly position ladders, especially around hazards like windows
• How to secure ladders to reduce the risk of a fall
• How to limit the risk of serious injury should a fall occur

Employers should endeavour to ensure their employees know what ladders to use and how to safely use them. They should also strive to remind employees of best practices such as keeping both feet on the ladder when working and always keeping three points of contact on the ladder when climbing. We will also cover how to safely set up ladders before climbing and how to determine the right conditions for ladder use. Certain situations, such as wet weather or ill health can make it unsafe to use a ladder, hence our recommendation that you leave the job for another day. A fall from a ladder can cause serious injury and lead to a lengthy hospital stay. It could also result in death or disability. It can be a devastating and scary experience that many find hard to recover from. Some become unable to return to productive lives and can even struggle with normal activities like walking or driving. To avoid this risk to the quality of your life and independence, take advantage of this course that will teach you all you need to know about ladder safety. Contact us at 01304 793058 or email us at info@risksafetyservices.co.uk to learn how to get started.