Ladder safety

A recent Ladder Association consumer market research study, funded by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), found that consumers were up to twice as likely to have an accident after buying telescopic ladders online from Amazon or eBay than those who bought from dedicated DIY retailers such as B&Q, Screwfix, Toolstation and Wickes. 

See 'Step up to safe ladders':

The Ladder Association: 'Step up to safe ladders'

Advice on buying ladders

• Take some time to research before you buy. 
• Don’t make decisions based solely on price. 
• Check the labelling- Look for products that meet product standard EN 131 Professional (telescopic ladders come under the certification of EN 131-6). All newer ladders should now be manufactured to this EN 131 standard. (If you still have older ladders they may have markings for BS 2037 or BS 1129). 
• Avoid ladders that are CE Marked. Despite what you might think, ladders cannot be CE marked. Ladders should be certified by a conformity assessment body such as Test and research centre, TUV or BSi.
• You could buy from a Ladder Association member. Members are committed to high standards of safety, and pledge to only make or sell ladders that comply with expected standards and are certified by a third-party Conformity Assessment Body. A full list of members can be found on the Ladder Association website
• When you receive your ladder, check it. Check the product for any defects, the instruction manual (every ladder should come with one) and the labelling on the ladder; 
• If you think the ladder is unsafe, dangerous or not made to standard, don’t use it! Any work at height must have a site / task specific risk assessment.

For all our resources, ladder checklists, template assessments etc:

Working at height

For details on ladder standards:

The Ladder Association: EN 131 – the current ladder standard