How Accidents Happen – Recent Case Studies

March 17th, 2011

Ladders have a bad reputation when it comes to safety. Many employers refuse to allow workers use them, and even window cleaners and people who work at height only temporarily are forgoing them for more expensive methods.

But ladders are not dangerous, most accident involving ladders are not the fault of the equipment but its use, and failing to take proper safety precautions as the following examples demonstrate.:

Student Falls Whilst on Work Experience

In Sheffield, the Health and Safety Executive have recently investigated an accident involving a 15-year-old boy on work experience with a building firm. The youngster, working on the third floor of a building climbed up a ladder with a bucket in his hand, and fell ten feet, landing on the floor and sustaining bruising injuries.

The HSE and magistrates in Sheffield concluded that the company had failed to train or assess the student’s abilities before allowing him to climb the ladder.

Fatal Accident Caused by Slip

Another recent ladder accident involved a  62-year-old from Caversham who was fatally injured when he fell off a ladder at his holiday home in France.

The local police concluded he appeared to have been fixing a leak wearing rubber boots and had probably slipped on a wet ladder.

Ladder Safety

Both these recent accidents could have been avoided if proper precautions were taken before climbing the ladders. There are several essential rules with ladder safety that should be learned and never broken when using them, whether indoors or out:

  • Ladders should be inspected before use, checking for buckling, bends and cracks and paying particular attention to the rungs. Any and any damage to a ladder should be reported, and the ladder not used.
  • Any surface the ladder is erected on should be level and dry–free from loose stones and material. The ladder should also be dry as should your shoes before climbing, which need to have a decent tread and not be slippery.
  • When climbing a ladder, never carry tools and equipment in your hands. Either winch up gear or wear a tool belt. Hands should be connected to the ladder when going up and down, keeping three points of contact at all time.
  • Never lean out of the confines of the ladder, or climb right to the top rungs on an extension ladder, this can lead to the ladder tipping or a fall.

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Choosing the Right Step-ladder

March 10th, 2011

By Richard Williams

Stepladders are one of the most practical and handy methods of working at height. Whether you are a tradesman or householder, need to repaint a ceiling, or just want to change a lightbulb, then you will require a step-ladder; however, with such a vast array of steps on the market choosing the right one can be a difficult task.

Ladders are designed for all sorts of people, from heavy duty ladders for builders, to light weight steps for householders. Here are some of the top selling ladders on the market and types of task they are suited to. Note all ladders are available in a range of sizes:

Platform Steps

These all-round stepladders are built to a high industrial specification, has aa large extra strong work platform and a high knee rail to allow safe working. Tested and certified to BS 2037 Class 1, this ladders is designed for trade use but its lightweight nature makes it a worthy for the keen DIYer, especially if you need a good ladder for outdoor use.

Builder’s Steps


A robust and sturdy ladder designed for trade, these builder’s steps are made of tough and durable aluminium and have wide slip-resistant treads and has a broad base to enhance safety and stability. Tested to BS 2037 Class 1, these ladders are ideal for all sorts of trade jobs.

Atlas Stepladders


Designed for home and light trade use, Atlas steps are lightweight and a cost effective ladder. With safety straps and a sturdy platform, this lightweight ladder is ideal for home use and is Tested and certified to EN 131

Warehouse Steps


Designed to be used between racking and tight spaces, these strong and compact Warehouse Steps are made from high-grade aluminium and are easy manoeuvrable with locking castors on one side.

Tested to EN131, they are suitable for indoor and are available up to 12 tread, allowing safe working at 4.3 metres (14 ft).

Ergonomic Safety Steps

Designed with a high safety rail, these step ladders are made for safety conscious, or those less confident on their feet. Built with a practical tray and knee rests, the ultra-high safety rail is 50 cm (19 inches) and has non-slip mats on the ladder’s steps.

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Scaling Heights – Different Methods of Working at Height

March 3rd, 2011

By Richard Williams

The need to get to high levels to carry out maintenance, repair or installation is a quandary faced by many trades and businesses. And as working at height can be dangerous, the right solution should always be used, otherwise accidents and injury can occur.

Ladders are by far the most practical and useful tool for working at height. So many different jobs can be carried out using ladders that they are used by a whole host of tradespeople. They do have a bad reputation and some people have stopped using ladders for their work, but often this is a mistake as if used correctly ladders are safe, legal and efficient methods of doing so many tasks.

Different types of ladders can be used both indoors and out, and as they are easy to transport, light and inexpensive they are by far the most practicable solution.

here are, however, some jobs that ladders just can’t do and for these jobs you have to look at alternative methods of working at height to get the work done.

For more permanent work, ladders may be impractical if you are working on the same location for prolonged periods. For this sort of task, scaffolding is often erected as it makes a semi-permanent platform that is easy to work on and far safer for working at height long periods of time. It can be unsightly, though and often for smaller areas, work platforms are used. Work platforms are very much like a mobile form of scaffolding that can be moved and affixed at a location providing a more temporary, yet stable work area.

Sometimes, it is not possible to get near the height you are working at from the ground. Telephone lines or suspended architecture requires another approach at reaching the height. Cherry Pickers are hydraulic cranes that lift a work platform into the air. These have the advantage of not needing to rest against a surface and can reach over objects. Workers can be securely strapped in too, meaning they are a safe method of working at height.

Finally, for those really hard to reach heights there is always the Helicopter. Often helicopters are used to fix power lines as not being grounded means the workers on-board are safe from electrocution.

The big disadvantage of many of these other methods of working at height is the expense and impracticality of them which is why ladders still remain the most useful tool for working at height.

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Ladders for Trade – Industry Requirements

February 24th, 2011

Richard Williams

Ladders are a tool used by both tradesman and householder alike. Flexible and versatile, ladders are the ideal tool for working at height and are used by all sorts of trades and industry for an almost infinite number of tasks.

The demands on a ladder used for trade, far exceeds the needs of he homeowner who may only get the step-ladder out to change a lightbulb or paint the ceiling. In trade, ladders can be used in all sorts of conditions for all sorts of tasks, which is why ladders designed for trade are tough and durable.

Trade ladders not only need to be strong, coping as they do with heavy weights of tools and equipment, they need also to be light having to be transported from site to site. The ideal material for trades ladder is without doubt aluminium, which is both tough–able to cope with extremely high load weights–and light, weighing far less than steel or other metals.

Trade ladders need also to be versatile and while extension ladders are often used in trade, more common than steps are combination ladders because they are more versatile. A set of combination ladders will be able to function as steps as well as operating as a work platform or small access tower. This saves the tradesman from having to take multiple ladders to the one job.

Often trade ladders are manufactured to British Standards (BS) marks which governs their load bearing capabilities. Good trades ladders have often been built to BS 2037 which governs their use for most tasks, but higher rated ladders are available for more heavy duty tasks.

Trade Ladders Have Different Requirements

When shopping for trade ladders it is important to ascertain the types of work that the ladder will be tasked to do. For specialist professions like electricians, wooden ladders are often used due to the risk of exposed electrical wiring, while other trades have specialist requirements too; however a decent trade ladder supplier should be able to ascertain your requirements.

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The Cost of Not Using Ladders

February 17th, 2011

By Richard Williams

There has been a trend over the last decade, due to health and safety fears, compensation fears and even ignorance of the law that many trades and local authorities have forgone the use of the ladder.

It is a common misconception that ladders are not permitted to be used for certain tasks by the health and safety acts but in fact the law says nothing of the sort, and while accidents with ladders can happen, if proper precautions are taken using ladder should not result in accidents or law suits.

And by not using ladders, which are a practical, simple and cost effective method of working at height, the alternatives can become extremely high and can be a waste of money.

As an example, Stoke on Trent’s local authority in the UK had, according to press reports, banned maintenance workers who were responsible for repairing more than 20,000 homes over 500 municipal buildings for the city council.

Because of the man, the contractors had to erect scaffolding, even for routine tasks like changing light bulbs – the end result was an increase in the council’s normal maintenance bill of 50% which totalled more than half a million pounds.

While ladder accidents are not uncommon, ladders are by far the most practical and cost effective method of doing many maintenance tasks and if proper precautions and guidance are taken then using a ladder can be perfectly safe.

Ladders should always be inspected before they are used as many accidents involve using faulty equipment, they should also be erected properly with extension ladders locked into placed when extended and leaned at the correct angle to the wall.

Likewise, stepladders have to be fully opened when climbed and by ensuring you well-balanced and are working within the confines of the ladder should be perfectly safe to work on.

Care should be taken when climbing and descending and tools and equipment should be carried up the ladder very carefully making sure you have a full grasp of the rungs when climbing.

By using a ladder correctly you will not only be able to carry out maintenance safely, but you can ensure it is done quickly, effectively and within a reasonable budget.

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How to Transport Ladders, Safely and Legally

February 10th, 2011

By Richard N Williams

One of the difficulties many people face with ladders is transporting them about from A to B. Due to heir need to be long, ladders can be tricky to transport, and some people often take risks in transporting ladders which can be dangerous and illegal.

Different types of ladders are different lengths and so depending on the type of ladder you are transporting will also depend on the type of transport required.

Extension Ladders

Extension ladders for instance are quite long and are usually transported on roofs of vehicles.  Most people who transport extension ladders use a van, this is because it is ling enough the ladder can be strapped on top and doesn’t protrude over the van’s length.

This is important as a protruding ladder is not only dangerous, especially if somebody runs into you where it can cause serious injury, it is also illegal.

While extension ladders by their very nature extend, its important that when collapsed it doesn’t extend the length of the vehicle, if it does you should get a shorter ladder, or use a longer vehicle. Some smaller extension ladders can actually be fastened on the roof of long wheelbase cars such as an estate but they should also be strapped securely, an insecure ladder is a potential missile if you have to stop suddenly, again the potential for causing serious injury is very real.

Step Ladders

Step ladders are a lot easier to transport than extensions as they are shorter. They can be moved about inside vans which removes the worry of the ladder having to be secured on the roof. With the seats down, many step-ladders can be transported in cars too, but they should be secure as again, sudden braking could see the ladder shoot forward, injuring drivers, passengers or other road users if it goes through the windscreen.

Surveyors Ladders

For those requiring only a shorter ladder, a surveyor’s ladder is perhaps the best solution. Surveyor’s ladders can be collapsed to a small size and can easily fit into the boot of most cars. These are ideal for people that don’t need to work on height too high and as they are placed in the boot there is no need for them to be strapped down.

When transporting any ladder it is important to ensure you have the correct vehicle, or correct ladder for the vehicle you are using, otherwise you may find yourself in trouble with the law, or worse.

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Aluminium Ladders – Flexibility and Strength

February 3rd, 2011

By Richard N Williams

Most of the modern ladders we use, whether they be extensions ladders, steps or work platforms, are commonly manufactured from aluminium. Aluminium is incredibly practical for manufacturing ladders for several reasons:

Aluminium is an incredibly light materials. For ladders, which are commonly transported about either in vans, on the roof of cars, or by hand, and keeping the weight down makes them easier to transport. Not being heavy, also means that aluminium ladders are easy to erect enabling just one person to place an extension ladder against a wall.

Despite its lightness, aluminium is also extremely strong. Most aeroplanes are made from aluminium as it has almost the same tensile strength of steel but for a fraction of the weight which makes them a safe material to make ladders from, without fear of breakage or buckling.

Finally, aluminium is also non-corrosive which means your aluminium ladder will not rust. This makes them a good investment for the tradesman who won’t have to keep replacing them and can use them in any weather without fear of corrosion.

Aluminium ladders, can’t be used for all purposes, however. Aluminium is conductive so when working with electricity, it’s often best to use a wooden ladder which will not transmit electrical shocks.

There are other disadvantages to aluminium ladders too. While aluminium is very strong, it can still bend under stress and sometimes warp. It is therefore important to inspect an aluminium ladder before use to ensure it is not damaged in anyway. If it is, its best to get a new ladder as damaged ladder is too much of a hazard to use.

When inspecting a ladders always remember to check the rubber feet too. If one of these comes off it will not only make the aluminium ladder more liable to slip, but will also make it unstable as the legs will be of different sizes.

Despite this, aluminium is still by far the most practical and efficient material that ladders can be made from and aluminium ladders are by far the most practical solution for working at height. Aluminium ladders are also cheap to produce which makes them cost effective and is another one of the reasons why they are the most popular material ladders are made from.

Aluminium Ladders

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Using Extension Ladders the Safe Way

January 27th, 2011

By Richard N Williams

Every year hundreds of people are injured in falls from ladders and heights and most of these incidents involve extendible or extension ladders. As ladders can be extremely dangerous, many people are loathe to use them when they need to work at height, but ladders are by far the most practical and convenient method of working off-ground.

Most accidents involving working at height and on ladders can also be avoided as many are caused by either improper use or poorly sited ladders that either slip or fall. However, if proper procedures and precautions are taken working on an extension ladder need not be dangerous at all.

The first step to safe working on an extension ladder is examining it for damage. Lots of accidents involving extension ladders are caused by the ladder itself being bent, warped, cracked or with loose rungs. All this should be inspected and looked for before the ladder is used and if any faults are discovered it is time to get a replacement. It is also advisable to label the ladder to ensure nobody else uses it.

The next step is to erect the ladder. The ground where the ladder is to be placed should first be inspected. Loose surfaces and uneven ground should be avoided as this can cause sipping and toppling. Once the surface has been cleared the ladder should be placed against the wall and an appropriate angle – not too steep and not too shallow.

One method of ensuring you get a good angle is to place the base of the ladder one third distance from the wall as the height you are extending too. So if the ladder is going up thirty feet, then the base of the ladder should be ten feet from the bottom of the wall.

The next to safe use is the climbing of the ladder itself. Tools and equipment should not be carried in the hands and it is important to keep within the confines of ladder, and maintaining three points of contact as you climb. Climbing should also be done gently and you should avoid jerking the extension ladder.

When working on a ladder it is important not to reach away from the ladder and ensure your centre of gravity is within the confines. For best practise somebody should be below, footing the ladder. This is not to keep the ladder from slipping, the weight of the climber would make this difficult and dangerous to do, but it can prevent the ladder wobbling when you are climbing and working.

Extension ladders can be safe

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Ladders Designed for Safety

January 20th, 2011

By Richard Williams

Each an every year hundreds of people are hospitalised due to falls from ladders or when working at height often attempting even the simplest of task. Safety, therefore, is paramount when working at height, even when working at a relatively low one; even a small fall can lead to serious injury, especially if you land on your head or back where severe damage can be done.

Many accidents occur through improper use of a ladders, or people attempting to use a chair, stool or other object to work at height. However, ladders can be tricky to use, especially for the inexperienced, the elderly, or those not too steady on their feet, and it can be all too easy to over reach, not erect them properly, or topple off.

Fortunately, there are several different types of safety ladders and ladders to designed for ease of use that can help prevent falls and make working at height a lot safer.

Safety Ladders

Different types of ladder are marketed as safety ladders for both household and business use. Mobile safety ladders are commonly used in factories and warehouses. While these can be wheeled around, when used the castors can’t operate due to the weight on the ladder. They also have handrails and wide non-slip platforms instead of rungs to climb up and are more akin to mobile stairs than a ladder – obviously not practical in a home or smaller location.

For household use many step ladders are manufactured with handrails. Step ladders with handrails prevent the risk of toppling off the ladder when climbing or descending, a prime cause of accidents. Equally the handrails provide a place to hold when working up the ladder, reducing the risk of falling off as a you can always keep a hand on the ladder.

Safety ladders also have other features too. Non-slip feet prevent slipping on the ladder when it is being scaled, while wide platforms are used instead of rungs and have a wider base for stability.

Even when working at head height it can often be safer to use a small ladder that try to stretch, as injuries can easily occur if over-reaching, not to mention objects such as tools that could be dropped onto your head or other extremity. For this sort of work, two tread steps are a great tool as they have a very wide base, none slip feet and allow you to work at head, or above head height without the risk of over-stretching.

Two-tread steps

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Builders’ Steps – Choosing Step Ladders for Trade

January 13th, 2011

By Richard Williams

Every tradesman is only as good as his tools. It’s an old adage but ask any builder and he will confirm that its true. Not having the right tool for the job can lead to sloppy work and angry customers. This is why most builder’s have a van full of different tools, often selected carefully for the job they are about to do.

However, while saws, hammers and power tools are not too cumbersome to carry multiple versions, ladders on the other hand are very bulky and few tradesman can carry more than one ladder around with them.

Ensuring the ladder is as practicable and multi-purpose as possible is, therefore, essential if it is going to be of any use for the myriad of tasks that it will be asked to perform.

Extension ladders, while ideal for working at very high locations, for general work they are not very practical. Useless indoors and cumbersome to transport, most tradespeople will only carry around an extension ladder if they know they are going to be definitely using it on that job.

Step-ladders are the desired choice for most tradespeople as they can be used for a multitude of tasks, indoors and out. They are also designed to be easy to transport, folding up as they do, and when using steps you have a handy platform for tools and equipment.

Builders’ steps are designed for trade use. They have the same A-frame design as household step-ladders but they are built with the professional in mind.

Usually made from aluminium, builders’ steps are tougher and durable than those designed for householders and are sturdier too with locking bars to ensure the risk of accident is kept to a minimum.

Tradespeople often use combination ladders too, which have similarities to builders’ steps in that they can be folded away and are easy to transport but their design allows different “combinations” allowing the ladder to be used in hard to reach areas like on stairs or over objects.

buidlers steps

Combination ladders are also made with the tradesman in mind with wide platforms to allow standing and storing of tools and equipment.

Builders’ steps and combination ladders are multi-purpose tools that do away with the need for carrying around more than one ladder, saving time, space and money.

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