Ladders and stepladders: risk assessment and method statement
Use of leaning ladders and stepladders at the site for access and short-duration, light work at height where a risk assessment shows more suitable equipment is not justified, set up on firm, level ground and secured.
Risk assessment
Risk = severity × likelihood, each from 1 to 5. 1 to 3 is low, 4 to 6 medium, 8 to 12 high and 15 to 25 very high.
| Hazard | Who might be harmed and how | Risk | Controls | With controls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ladder slipping or sliding at the base or top | Operatives may fall when the ladder base slides out or the top slips, resulting in serious or fatal injury. | 5 × 3 = 15 Very high |
| 5 × 1 = 5 Medium |
| Falling from the ladder while working | Operatives may overreach or lose balance and fall from the ladder, resulting in serious injury. | 5 × 3 = 15 Very high |
| 5 × 1 = 5 Medium |
| Stepladder toppling or collapsing | Operatives may fall when a stepladder tips sideways or is not locked open, resulting in serious injury. | 4 × 3 = 12 High |
| 4 × 1 = 4 Medium |
| Defective ladder or wrong class of ladder | Operatives may fall if a ladder with damaged stiles, rungs or feet fails, resulting in serious injury. | 4 × 3 = 12 High |
| 4 × 1 = 4 Medium |
| Falling at the stepping-off point on a landing | Operatives may fall when stepping on or off at the top of an access ladder, resulting in serious injury. | 5 × 2 = 10 High |
| 5 × 1 = 5 Medium |
| Contact with overhead power lines or live services | Operatives may be electrocuted if a metal ladder touches overhead lines, resulting in fatal injury. | 5 × 2 = 10 High |
| 5 × 1 = 5 Medium |
| Carrying tools and materials up the ladder | Operatives may lose grip and fall when carrying loads up the ladder, resulting in serious injury. | 4 × 3 = 12 High |
| 4 × 1 = 4 Medium |
| Persons below struck by falling objects | Others passing below may be struck by tools or materials dropped from the ladder, resulting in head injury. | 3 × 3 = 9 High |
| 3 × 1 = 3 Low |
| Manual handling when carrying ladders | Operatives may suffer back or shoulder strain carrying long ladders, resulting in musculoskeletal injury. | 3 × 3 = 9 High |
| 3 × 1 = 3 Low |
Weather: No external ladder work in high winds, heavy rain, ice or snow; wet or muddy rungs to be cleaned first.
Method statement
Supervision and briefing
Operations will be controlled by a competent supervisor. Ladders will only be used where a risk assessment has shown that more suitable equipment is not justified because the work is low risk and short duration.
All operatives involved will be briefed on:
- Safe setting up, securing and use of ladders and stepladders
- Pre-use checks and removing defective ladders from use
- Weather-related stop/start criteria
- Emergency procedures
PPE
- Safety boots
- Gloves
- Hi-visibility clothing
- Hard hats
- Eye protection where necessary
Plant and equipment
- Ladders and stepladders to BS EN 131 Professional
- Ladder stability device or tie-off straps
- Tool belt and tool lanyards
- Cones or barriers for the ladder base
- Ladder inspection register and tags
- First aid kit
Things to watch for
Ladder work at the site will be limited to light, short-duration tasks; longer or heavier work will use podiums, towers or MEWPs.
Particular care must be taken to avoid:
• Overreaching and working off the top steps
• Setting ladders on uneven, soft or slippery ground
• Resting ladders on guttering, glazing or fragile surfaces
• Placing ladders in doorways or walkways
Ladder use will be agreed with the site manager as part of each task plan.
Working conditions
The base of each ladder will be coned off. Ground will be firm, level and clean. Doors near ladders will be locked or guarded. Work areas will be adequately lit and kept free of trailing cables.
Access
Access to the work area is by the agreed site entrance and walkways at the site. No carrying tools up ladders to maintain 3 points of contact. Materials will be lowered via hoist/chute or hand-to-hand; materials will not be thrown from height.
Where the work is
Short-duration work positions around the site as agreed with the site manager; ladders returned to the secure store at the end of the shift.
Sequence of work
- Brief operatives on the task and controls; confirm a ladder is the right equipment for the work.
- Carry out and record the pre-use check of the ladder or stepladder.
- Check the ground, overhead lines and landing point at the work position.
- Cone off the base area and secure nearby doors.
- Set leaning ladders at 75 degrees (1 in 4) with at least 1m above any landing.
- Tie, fit a stability device or foot the ladder before climbing.
- Open stepladders fully with locks engaged and all four feet on the ground.
- Climb with three points of contact, carrying tools in a belt only.
- Carry out the task without overreaching, moving the ladder as needed.
- Descend, remove and inspect the ladder after use.
- Return ladders to the store, clear the area and remove barriers.
Emergencies
Stop work immediately, make the area safe, move people out of danger, report it to the site manager or supervisor, and call 999 if anyone is hurt or in danger.
References
Work at Height Regulations 2005; HSE INDG455 Safe use of ladders and stepladders; BS EN 131; Ladder Association guidance.