THE Ladder Association, the not-for-profit industry body dedicated to height safety, has published an 8-page guide explaining what it describes as the most important changes to portable ladder standards since BS EN 131 – the single British and European product standard – was first introduced.

The Association’s free guide highlights the key changes for specifiers, users and health and safety professionals, and for managers and supervisors responsible for the safety of employees using ladders in the workplace.

These highlights include:

• Essential information on how and when the changes will affect users
• Advice on how to ‘shop smart’ when replacing existing ladders because they are damaged or unfit for further use
• Details of changes to design requirements and the two new classes of ladders

Through its membership of the European standards committee for ladders, CEN TC93, the Association has made a crucial contribution to the development of the new standards, which improve product strength, rigidity and durability and, most significantly, enhances safety.

Comments the Ladder Association’s technical manager and chair of its Technical Committee, Don Aers: “The changes reflect the collective experience and expertise of many contributors over an extensive period. They improve ladder design and safety and are therefore to be welcomed.”

The guide makes it absolutely clear that standards do not apply retrospectively and gives practical, sensible advice to businesses in adjusting their purchasing policies to take account of the new standards.

It also re-emphasizes that, whilst ladders may not always be the first choice when working at height, they are often a sensible and practical option for low-risk and short duration tasks, and there are many situations where a ladder is the only practical option.

The guide is essential reading for anyone who uses or purchases ladders. For a free copy go to www.ladderassociation.org.uk/en131