A recent news report highlights the danger of using cheap, poorly-made telescopic ladders.

Photo credit: Mark Hunter (licensed under CC BY 2.0)

According to this Metro article, an electrician suffered broken ribs after falling around 15 feet onto a concrete floor when his telescopic ladder reportedly snapped in half. The ladder had been purchased online via Amazon.

Incidents like this are a serious reminder that when you're working at height, the quality of your ladder really matters.

Transporting a ladder can be a challenging task, especially if you only have a car at your disposal (as opposed to a van or truck).

We know it can be tempting to just stick the ladder in your car boot and begin your journey home, but there are a number of laws in place that you risk breaking if you allow the ladder to overhang your vehicle.

In recent years, several reports have surfaced that claim a concerning number of telescopic ladders sold online don’t meet the minimum safety requirements.

As ladder specialists, safety is incredibly important to us here at Ladders UK Direct. That’s why we’ve written this guide on the topic of telescopic ladder safety so you can be sure that the equipment you buy is up to standard and safe to use.

Need an extending ladder but can’t decide between a telescopic ladder and an extension ladder? Keep reading – this guide looks at the pros and cons of both options.

How to use a telescopic ladder safely

Telescopic ladders are perfectly safe to use as long as you follow the safety guidelines that apply to all leaning ladders. Check out our How to Climb a Ladder Safely guide for advice.

It is also crucial that you work on a level surface, i.e. a clean and flat floor. Never erect your telescopic ladder on an uneven floor as this could cause it to tip over. You should also never stand your ladder on something else to achieve additional height.