Can I Use a Ladder While Pregnant?

Pregnancy often raises questions about safety in everyday activities. From going on a run, eating certain foods or using certain products, there is a range of different everyday activities that you have to be cautious about during pregnancy, and climbing a ladder is one of them.  

Why Ladders Can Be Risky During Pregnancy

Pregnancy brings about several changes that can make climbing ladders more hazardous:

• Dizziness and High Blood Pressure: Many pregnant women experience drops in energy, high blood pressure and dizziness which can be dangerous at heights.
  
  
• Joint Instability: Hormonal changes can make joints more flexible and less stable for pregnant women, increasing the risk of falls.
  
  
• Balance Changes: As a woman’s stomach grows, their centre of gravity changes, increasing the risk of falls.
  
  
• Fall risk: Falls during pregnancy can seriously harm both mother and baby.

When Might It Be Safe to Use a Ladder?

If you’re early in your pregnancy (first trimester), feeling steady and well, you may be okay to use a step stool or small ladder for very simple and short tasks. You should never climb a ladder more than a couple of feet if you are pregnant, and do not attempt to climb a ladder if you are home alone or experiencing dizziness and balance issues.

It is far safer for you to ask for help or wait and complete the tasks that require a ladder once you have delivered your baby.

If your job requires you to use a ladder, your employer should carry out a thorough pregnancy risk assessment for you and review and update this risk assessment as your pregnancy progresses. As a general rule, pregnant women should not be required to climb any ladders or step stools at work due to the increased fall risk.   

If you have any further questions on ladder safety, please don’t hesitate to contact us by clicking the button below!

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