What is the Maximum Height a Ladder Can be Used?

What is the Maximum Height a Ladder Can be Used?

Introduction -working from height with ladders

Thankfully the number of deaths and injuries related to working at height have reduced in the construction industry. This is because of the increase in mandatory training of all construction workers and increased awareness promoted through construction companies.

However in 2020/2021 there were still 39 fatalities with roughly 50% due to falls from height. and almost 3,464 non-fatal incidents with 33% of them caused by falls from height. We need to keep working to get this number down to zero.

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 (WAHR) outline that:

• Any work at height is properly planned and executed
• Any work at height factors in on the day weather conditions that might impact the works
• All staff who are working at height must be trained to do so and must be competent at working at height
• All work from height must be executed in a safe environment
• Any equipment used such as ladders should be maintained and checked for defects
• Any risk of injury from falling objects above should be factored in
• Any risk of injury from a fragile surface or material giving way be factor in

We have a series of mini courses on how to find a builder. If you want to reduce your financial and all other risks in construction you should invest in learning some new skills.

What is the Maximum Height a Ladder Can be Used?

There is no maximum height that a ladder can go to. But the HSE do recommend any height above 9 metres should be accessed by a work platform such as a cherry picker, scaffold tower etc.

Just because there is no legal requirement for not using a ladder does not mean you should work off a ladder.

Why use a ladder when you can get the Client to pay for a cherry picker, scaffold tower etc. If you fall or injure yourself the Client is not going to take care of you.

How much is the job worth to you if you kill yourself or seriously injure your back or skull etc.

If you are working at height as a roofer, fixing chimneys, patching up brickwork, installing extractor fans then you should insist on safe access.