Ladder safety
The safe use of portable and fixed ladders as a means of access or a temporary place of work. Ladders are only appropriate where the risk assessment shows other equipment is not justified and the duration of use is short.
By jurisdiction
UK HSE
“ladder safety”Exact equivalentSchedule 6 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 specifies the conditions under which ladders may be used: only where a risk assessment shows use of other work equipment is not justified and the work is low risk, short duration or dictated by the existing environment. Ladders must be in good condition, suitably positioned and secured.
Irish HSA
“ladder safety”Close equivalentThe General Application Regulations 2007 (Part 4) set requirements for the safe use of ladders and stepladders, including that they are used only where justified by the risk assessment, are in good condition, and are properly secured.
US OSHA
“ladder safety”Close equivalentOSHA 29 CFR 1926.1053 (construction) and 29 CFR 1910.23 (general industry) set requirements for portable ladders. In construction, ladders must be inspected before use, have sufficient strength, be erected on stable surfaces and secured. OSHA does not restrict ladder use to short-duration tasks as explicitly as GB or Irish regulations.
Practitioner note: WAHR Schedule 6 restricts ladder use to short-duration, low-risk work where other equipment is not justified. OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1053 sets requirements but does not apply this same restriction on appropriate use.