Keeping you safe at height this festive season
Whether you're ready to buy a new ladder, or digging out your old one to put up your decorations, follow our simple steps to shop smart online and work safely at height when using ladders.
DID YOU KNOW…online platforms and marketplaces (like Amazon, eBay, Temu, OnBuy, Facebook Marketplace, and many more) who sell products supplied by 3rd party sellers, have no responsibility for the safety of the goods being sold on their platforms?
Most people would be forgiven for thinking the products being sold on these platforms are checked in advance to make sure they are safe to use. Sadly, in many cases, no checks are being made at all before you receive the product and use it at home.
We’re campaigning for a change in the law to fix this – but in the meantime, we’ve pulled together some handy tips to help you buy safe ladders, particularly online.
You might be a regular ladder user at home (or work) and feel familiar with how to use your current ladder safely.
Or, like many people, you’re digging out your old ladders from the shed or cupboard, dusting them off and heading up to the loft to bring down your tree and decorations!
This festive season, we’re encouraging everyone – no matter their ladder experience – to take a few minutes before you climb your ladder to refresh your memory with our simple steps to keep you safe at height.
It only takes a missed footing, wrong angle or split-second overreach to put a real dampener on the festivities.
With so many types of ladders to choose from, available from a huge range of online platforms and retailers, how can you be sure the ladder you buy is safe? Here's our 'Top 12 Buying Tips' to find yourself a cracker:
Here are our simple steps you can take before you use your ladder this Christmas:
- Decide if it’s right to use a ladder – ladders can be appropriate for low risk and short duration tasks (no more than 30 mins).
- Select the right equipment – does it meet current product standard (EN 131)? Is it the right type of ladder for the task?
- Follow the manufacturer’s instruction manual – every ladder should come with instructions, so take some time to read before you climb.
- Check your ladder is in good condition – is it safe to use now? If it’s been in the shed for a while, check the components, give it a clean so you can see any possible damage. Make sure rungs and stiles aren’t bent or damaged, or feet missing. Check the locking mechanisms too before you take your first step.
- Position your ladder correctly – a leaning ladder should be positioned at a 75 degree angle. Make sure all feet are on the ground or steps are level.
- Make sure the ladder is long enough for the task – don’t be tempted to overreach (and please don’t try to add extra height!), if it’s a stepladder then avoid standing on the top three steps.
- ‘Get a Grip’ by maintaining a firm handhold at all times – always maintain three points of contact, this could be two feet and one
hand, or when both hands need to be free for a brief period (like knocking in a nail), two feet and the body supported by the ladder. - Don’t overload – decorations could be heavier than you think. Make sure your weight, plus anything you’re carrying doesn’t exceed the maximum total load (for EN131 it’s 150kg).
- Secure your ladder – if you need to you should tie your ladder to a suitable point, use a stability device, wedge the ladder, or last resort, get someone to foot the ladder for you.
- Wear suitable footwear! Slippers or bare feet won’t cut it, so make sure you’re wearing sturdy, flat shoes.
- Get trained to use your ladder safely! It might seem unnecessary to get ladder training, but our courses are about more than just using a ladder. They cover inspection, storage and maintenance. Add a ladder training course to your wish list this year!
