How long can you use ladders in various situations?

Are there time limits with ladder use?

When working at height, whether it’s using ladders, tower scaffolding or podium steps, the first and foremost consideration should always be safety. Working at height comes with multiple dangers to both workers and bystanders as a result of falling equipment.

According to the Health and Safety Executive, falls from height were the most common cause of fatal injury at work from 2013-18, accounting for an average of 37 instances per year.

The most basic precaution should be to ensure equipment is being used only in the conditions set out under manufacturer guidelines. If equipment is used outside of the specific working conditions it has been designed for, failure as a result of stress or misuse is much more likely.

Besides inappropriate or incorrect use of equipment, time is another less-considered precaution which can increase the risk of injury. The amount of time spent working on a ladder can significantly increase the risk of injury as tiredness sets in.

From a risk assessment point of view it’s important to know what sort of time limits you should be working within when using ladders and stepladders in order to minimise the risk of injury. Below we’ll run through some common work situations and the various time precautions you should keep in mind in each one to ensure ladder safety.

Light work on a ladder

In many applications ladders are required simply to gain access to a fixture or fitting. Tasks like changing a light bulb, fixture or fitting often require minimal additional equipment. In cases like these, a worker may be required to carry light materials and use nothing more than a small tool like a screwdriver to get the job done. This means they will be carrying very little additional weight.

Carrying heavier tools, for example a power drill or an assortment of wrenches, can quickly amount to significant extra weight. With extra weight comes extra stress on the body, in particular the legs which are the main point of support on a ladder.

Working with minimal equipment and tools generally means that the amount of time a worker can safely expect to stay on a ladder is significantly longer.

Heavy work on a ladder

Jobs outside often require heavier-duty tools than indoor jobs and may also require heavier duty clothes to protect workers from the elements. Both of these factors combined can quickly increase the overall weight a worker needs to support while working on a ladder.

A heavier load will also have an effect on the amount of time a worker can spend on a ladder before fatigue sets in. An additional 10kg of weight may not sound like much, but it can significantly increase the strain on a worker’s legs whilst they support themselves on a ladder.

This generally means that the heavier the load, the shorter the amount of time an individual can safely spend working on a ladder. The extra weight puts additional strains on both the ladder and the user’s body.

Ladder types and their impact on ladder safety

Another important factor to bear in mind when assessing the safe amount of time a worker can spend on a ladder is the specific type of ladder being used. Ladders come in different types, sizes and weight, and some are significantly more taxing to use over long periods of time than others.

Stepladders are often easier to balance than a leaning ladder due to their four feet and relatively low height. By comparison, a high extendable ladder will be much less stable and will require a user to maintain three points of contact at all times in order to remain safe. There are significant variations in the typical uses of different types of ladder, and also the safe amount of time each can be used for.

On top of this, many ladders are only designed for use in access situations. For example, it would be unsafe to use a vertically-placed ladder attached to the side of a scaffold tower to carry out work on a wall structure. It would not provide the structural integrity or protection for a worker that a tower scaffold would. As a result, it is always important to refer to manufacturer guidelines stating exactly where and when each ladder can be used.

Health and safety law

Ladders and stepladders are allowed to be used in the workplace. Health and safety law calls for a ‘sensible, proportionate approach to managing risk’ and accepts that these types of ladders can be a practical option for low-risk tasks and those of a short duration.

The foremost ladder safety concern should be whether the right type of ladder is being used and that the person using it is trained how to use it safely. Considerations such as where and how they will be used are highly important. This includes an assessment of the conditions of the workspace, for example whether it is inside or outside, whether there is a strong upper resting point, the ladder angle, availability of adequate ladder feet, as well as any other potential hazards.

Any risk assessment with ladder safety should also take into account the load limits and work certifications that each ladder is built to by the manufacturer. These are of paramount importance when planning any job involving a ladder of any kind. Exceeding manufacturer specifications is a sure-fire way to drastically increase the risk of injury to both yourself and those around you.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) outlines a time limit of no more than 30 minutes for work on stepladders and leaning ladders. Working on either of these pieces of equipment for longer than the recommended time period increases the risk of an accident.

In cases where you expect to be working for longer, or access equipment while you are up there, the HSE recommend you use alternative equipment which will improve ladder safety. For example, tower scaffolding or podium steps are a much safer choice than standard leaning ladders for use in long-duration tasks due to the extra support and stability they provide.

A more stable structure and footing, as well as far greater support for the worker in the form of guard rails and barriers, make tower scaffolding and podium steps far superior alternatives for lengthy periods of working at height. In some cases mobile elevating work platforms may be a sensible and practical option, especially with some types of tree work.

Regardless of the length of time you intend to use them, ladders should only be used in situations where they can be used safely. You should not take risks using an inappropriate ladder, especially in areas where the ground is less level and therefore likely to be unstable. An effective stability device should be used (many ladders are supplied with these although they can be bought as an additional accessory) to prevent the ladder from slipping.

If you carry out a proper risk assessment, including all the right pre- and post-use checks (such as checking ladder rungs and feet), use the correct type of ladder for the situation, and adhere to the recommended time limit, you will minimise the risk.

If you would like to know more about ladder safety and which type of access equipment — leaning ladder, telescopic ladder, stand ladder, step ladder, tower scaffold or podium step — is best for you, please get in touch with us today.