If you are an employer, the safety of your workers is ultimately your responsibility. And this includes when they are using a ladder to work at height.

Now, some people may think otherwise and that when people are using a ladder, their safety is their own responsibility. However, this is far from the truth. So, if an employee of yours does fall from a ladder and injures themselves, what will happen to you? Can you be fined? Let's find out...

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When working at height, it's absolutely vital that you have proper precautions in place to help prevent a slip or fall. Unfortunately, a lot of accidental deaths in the workplace are directly linked to working at height, so it's important to do what you can to prevent injury. We've put together this blog to show you how to work at height safely.

For more information you can check out the HSE Working at Height Resource, which we used to put together this blog!

What Is Working at Height?

If you are doing any task at a height where the fall could cause you harm, such as painting or reparing a roof, then you are working at height. Precautions have to be taken to prevent some of the dangers of working at hieght. 

Working Safely at Height - First Steps

Before you even think about touching a ladder, you need to make sure that the work has been planned properly, will be supervised properly and is being carried out by someone with the correct training/experience and knowledge of working safely at height. You also need to check that you've got the right safety equipment. If you are working at height as part of a company, then your employer should have taken neccessary safety steps, but you should check that all practical measures have been taken before you begin your work. If you are working independantly, like on a DIY project, then you will need to take these steps yourself.

If the task is particularly dangerous or high up, you should consider whether a professional would be better suited to the job. 

Assessing the risks When Working Safely at Height

We're experts on step ladder risk assessments - but risk assessments are cruicial for working safely at height no matter what type of ladder. Think about how long the task will take, how many times you'll need to do it, and the type of surface you'll be working on. Working safely at height is largely down to how well you understand and manage potential risks. For example, if you think that there's any chance of a slip or fall, make sure you explore fall arrest equipment before making a start. Even if you have completed this task many times before, check every time. 

Prepare to Work Safely at Height

Preparing to work safely at height is incredibly important. Just because you have a ladder doesn't mean you are ready to climb it. Make sure that you are not alone when you start your project, so that somebody is available to help should the worst happen. Similarly, as with all instances where there is an opportunity for injury, make sure you have a way to phone for medical help in case you get hurt.

Most importantly, consider your own abilities carefully before you work at height. We all want to beleive that we could build a house with our own two hands if we had the chance...but unfortunately, that's not always the case. Working safely at height is difficult, so if you do not have the experience and skills to work safely, then you might want to avoid this particular project. 

If you are going to undertake this project, make sure proper precautions are in place. These will vary depending on the height of your project, but you might require a harness or guardrails to work safely at height. Properly research what equipment might be neccessary.

Working safely at height - what you should and shouldn't do:

You should:

• Get as much work done from the ground as you can
• Make sure extra precautions are taken if you're working near a fragile/breakable surface
• Ensure that you're wearing protective headgear in case of falling objects
• Consider what would happen in the event of an emergency & make sure everyone around is aware of this
• Ensure the climbing space is clear & free of debris

You shouldn't:

• Lean over or overreach while using ladders or scaffolding
• Overload ladders - make sure you check the maximum working weight before you start!
• Use ladders for tasks that require you to work at height for longer than 30 minutes at a time
• Use a ladder or work at height if you aren't qualified or able to do so

Ladders for Working Safely at Height

Here at Ladders UK Direct, we offer a huge selection of ladders for domestic and trade use that will allow you to work at height safely. We work with well-known suppliers to bring you some of the safest & most-loved ladders on the market. Use the buttons below to shop our ladders & scaffold towers.

Ladders >     Step Ladders >     Scaffold Towers >

If you have any questions about working safely at height, you can contact the Ladders UK Direct team here - sales@laddersukdirect.co.uk.

Working around electrical hazards is daunting for anyone. Ensuring you have the right equipment to keep you safe can put your mind at ease and help you get the job done without injury.

For those of you who don't know, fibreglass ladders are recommended for electrical work because they're highly non-conductive, unlike aluminium or steel ladders which are highly conductive. But what does 'non-conductive' mean and how is a fibreglass ladder going to protect you against an electric shock?

A brief science lesson

Electricity always looks for the fastest route from the source to the ground, which usually means travelling through a conductive material. You may have heard the advice "don't be in a swimming pool during a thunderstorm" well this is because lightning is attracted to water because it's highly-conductive.

If you want to prevent electricity from passing through you into the ground when you're on a ladder, it's important you put something insulating as opposed to conductive between you and the ground. Aluminium and steel ladders are often conductive, so they're not the safest choice if you're working near a live wire or electrical cables.

How do fibreglass ladders protect me?

Fibreglass ladders, however, are insulating which means electricity can't pass through them. By putting a fibreglass ladder between you and the ground, you're making sure that the quickest route to the ground is not through your body! This means that, should the worst happen, you'll be protected and shouldn't get an electric shock.

Choosing a fibreglass ladder

Here at Ladders UK Direct, we offer a wide range of fibreglass ladders to help you work around electricity safely. Whether you need a low-level step ladder, an extension ladder for extra reach or a combination for use in hallways and on stairs - we have a fibreglass ladder for you!

Fibreglass Ladders   Fibreglass Steps

If you have any questions about our fibreglass ladders or how they protect against electricity, don't hesitate to get in touch. Our team of experts will be happy to help you with any queries you may have.

When it comes to staying safe on a ladder - whether you're climbing up it, working on it or climbing down - there are certain things that you need to do to ensure you minimise the risk of injury and accidents so that you are safe at all times.

If you're not aware of these things, you can find out in our blogs here:

How to Climb a Ladder Safely >    How to Use a Step Ladder Safely >

In both of those posts, we talk about the ways that you can stay safe whilst using a ladder and list various points that you can follow. Included here is the way which you carry and hold the specific tools needed to complete the task at hand. Carrying tools whilst ascending and descending a ladder is clearly a safety hazard and should be avoided at all costs unless you have the equipment to do so; such as a tool belt.

Having a tool belt, however, doesn't automatically make carrying tools up a ladder safe. You need to know the correct way to organise and wear it to ensure your tools do not fall whilst climbing up or down the ladder, potentially injuring yourself or others that may be working or moving around you. For those of you who don't know the right way to organise and wear your tool belt, we are here to help! This blog focuses on the correct measures you need to take when carrying tools up a ladder.

So, what are you waiting for? Read on to find out more...

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If you own an extension ladder but you need to complete a task at a low height, it can be tempting to think about taking your extension ladder apart to get the job done. However, using the fly section of your extension ladder on its own can create a serious health and safety risk! 

For the most part, extension ladders on have safety steps at the very base of the ladder, this is because the fly section is not intended for use as an individual ladder on its own. Without safety feet, the fly section of the ladder is likely to slip out from underneath you leading to an accidental and potentially life-threatening fall.

Use your ladder as it was intended

We've discussed how to use an extension ladder in lots of detail already here on Ladder UK Direct, but we wanted to remind you of one of the key points. Before you use your ladder you should inspect it to make sure it's fit for use. If it's been dismantled into 2 or 3 separate sections - it's no longer safe for use! Always use your ladder as it was intended to be used to minimise the risk of injury.

What are my other options?

If you need a ladder to complete a job at a low height, there are plenty of options for you to choose from. So, before you start taking your extension ladder apart, take a look at some of these ladders:

• Single Section Ladders - If you want a single section ladder with suitable safety feet, this is the way to go. Choose either lightweight aluminium or non-conductive fibreglass.

• Step Ladders - For added stability, or to work in a space without a supporting wall, choose a step ladder. We offer everything from platform steps to tilt and push warehouse steps.

• Roof Ladders - If you were planning to put a single section of your extension ladder against your house to access the roof, we'd recommend a roof ladder as an alternative. With a hooked end, these ladders provide the ultimate grip while you work on the roof.

To reiterate - you should NEVER take your extension ladders apart. ALWAYS use your ladder in the way it was intended or seek an appropriate alternative! If you have any questions about using your extension ladder, drop us an email - sales@laddersukdirect.co.uk.