Ladder Safety – Online Course The Ladder Safety Online Course provides learners with the essential knowledge to understand the legal requirements governing the use of ladders in the workplace, select the correct type of ladder for the task, carry out pre-use checks and formal inspections, and use ladders safely in accordance with UK legislation and HSE guidance. Developed in line with the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and supporting HSE guidance, this course supports employers in meeting their legal duties to ensure ladder use is properly risk assessed, supervised, and carried out by competent people. Falls from height remain one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities in the UK, accounting for approximately 25% of all fatal workplace injuries each year. One third of all falls from height involve ladders and stepladders, resulting in around 14 deaths and 1,400 injuries annually. This course gives employees and their supervisors a clear and practical understanding of when ladders may be used, how to use them safely, and what inspections and checks the law requires, making it suitable for anyone who uses or supervises the use of ladders in any workplace setting. This course aligns with all primary UK legislation and guidance relevant to ladder safety: Work at Height Regulations 2005 (as amended) The primary legislation governing all work at height activities in the UK, applying to employers, the self-employed, and anyone who controls work at height Requires all work at height to be properly planned, appropriately supervised, and carried out by competent people Establishes a clear hierarchy of controls, avoid working at height where possible, use work equipment that prevents falls where it cannot be avoided, and mitigate the consequences of a fall where prevention is not reasonably practicable Schedule 6 specifies the conditions under which ladders may be used for work at height, only where a risk assessment demonstrates that the use of more suitable equipment is not justified because of low risk and short duration of use, or because existing site features cannot be altered Requires ladders to be inspected at suitable intervals by a competent person, with records maintained, ladders forming part of a scaffold system must be formally inspected every seven days Requires pre-use checks to be carried out before every use Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) Requires employers to ensure that all work equipment, including ladders, is suitable for its intended purpose and maintained in a safe condition Requires ladders to be regularly inspected by a competent person to identify defects that could compromise safety Requires employers to provide adequate information, instruction, and training to all employees who use ladders and other work equipment Requires unsafe or defective equipment to be taken out of use immediately Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 Establishes overarching duties on employers to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of all employees and others affected by their work activities Requires employers to take all reasonably practicable steps to control the risks associated with the use of ladders and stepladders Places a duty on employees to take reasonable care for their own safety and the safety of others, and to cooperate with their employer's safety arrangements Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 Requires employers to carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments before deciding whether a ladder is the appropriate access equipment for the task The risk assessment must demonstrate that more suitable work equipment is not justified before a ladder is used for work at height Requires appropriate control measures, training, and supervision to be in place and regularly reviewed BS EN 131 — Portable Ladder Standard The current UK standard that all new portable ladders must comply with, replacing older standards BS 2037 and BS 1129 Covers both professional-grade ladders (EN131-Professional) for trade and industrial use and non-professional ladders for light domestic use Requires compliant ladders to be tested for strength and stability, clearly labelled with user instructions and safety information, and fitted with wider feet and improved slip resistance Employers should ensure that all ladders in use in the workplace are EN131 compliant HSE Guidance — INDG402 and the Ladder Association Guidance INDG402 provides practical HSE guidance on the safe use of ladders and stepladders in the workplace, covering selection, pre-use checks, safe positioning, and the 30-minute rule for duration of use The Ladder Association publishes industry best practice guidance on ladder selection, inspection, and use, aligned with the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and PUWER Both are referenced by HSE inspectors when assessing compliance with ladder safety requirements This training helps employees and employers understand their responsibilities and supports compliance with UK ladder safety legislation and HSE guidance. Course Overview Learners will develop a thorough understanding of safe ladder selection, inspection, and use, including: The hierarchy of controls for work at height and where ladders sit within it When a ladder may legally be used, the conditions set out in Schedule 6 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 Types of ladder, extension ladders, stepladders, combination ladders, roof ladders, and loft ladders, and their appropriate uses Ladder classifications and BS EN 131, understanding professional versus non-professional ratings Pre-use checks, what to look for before every use, including stiles, rungs, feet, locking mechanisms, and surface condition Formal ladder inspections, what they involve, how often they must be carried out, and by whom Record keeping requirements for ladder inspections Correct ladder setup, the 4-to-1 angle rule, securing at the top, footing, and surface stability Safe use in practice, three points of contact, the 30-minute rule, avoiding overreaching, load limits, and carrying tools Common causes of ladder accidents and how to avoid them Identifying and taking defective ladders out of service Employer and employee responsibilities under the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and PUWER When to consider alternative access equipment, podiums, tower scaffolds, and MEWPs Optional Practical Add-On – Ladder and Harness Practical Session For organisations wishing to go beyond awareness, this course can be complemented with an optional hands-on practical session delivered on-site or at a training venue. The practical add-on gives learners the opportunity to apply their online learning in a controlled, supervised environment, including: Hands-on selection, pre-use inspection, and setup of extension ladders, stepladders, and combination ladders under the supervision of a qualified instructor Correct application of the 4-to-1 angle rule in practice, positioning, securing, and footing ladders on different surfaces Safe climbing technique, maintaining three points of contact, correct footwear, and load management Introduction to fall arrest harnesses, types of harness, correct fitting, adjustment, and pre-use inspection Donning and doffing a harness correctly and understanding anchor point requirements Safe transition from a vertical extension ladder to a roof ladder, correct handover technique, maintaining three points of contact throughout, and securing the roof ladder correctly before transferring weight Working safely on a roof ladder, positioning, movement, and awareness of fragile surfaces Pre-engagement decision making, recognising when conditions are unsafe and work should be stopped Debrief and Q&A with a qualified work at height instructor The practical session is delivered in small groups to maximise individual participation and is available as a standalone add-on for delegates who have completed the online awareness course. Completion of both elements provides a comprehensive blended learning experience and strengthens the evidence of staff competency available to the responsible person under the Work at Height Regulations 2005. Practical session duration: Approximately 3–4 hours depending on group size Delivery: On-site or at a nominated training venue Certificate: Combined digital certificate covering both theory and practical elements upon successful completion Course Highlights Core module 100% online – complete at your own pace, with an optional practical add-on available Fully aligned with the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and PUWER 1998 Covers ladder selection, BS EN 131 classifications, pre-use checks, and formal inspection requirements Includes the hierarchy of controls, the 30-minute rule, and correct ladder setup and use Optional practical add-on covers harness fitting, ladder-to-roof ladder transition, and supervised hands-on use Suitable for all employees who use or supervise the use of ladders in any workplace Interactive visual content for easy understanding Knowledge checks throughout each module Final online assessment included Instant digital certificate upon completion Counts towards CPD (Continuing Professional Development) Who Should Take This Course? This course is suitable for a wide range of employees, including: Construction and civil engineering workers Facilities and building maintenance staff Electricians, plumbers, and other tradespeople Retail, warehouse, and logistics staff Cleaning and janitorial staff Healthcare and education premises staff Agricultural and horticultural workers Painters, decorators, and property maintenance operatives Supervisors and managers responsible for work at height activities Health and safety officers and managers Anyone who uses a ladder as part of their work or who supervises others doing so This training is ideal for building awareness of ladder safety requirements and legal obligations. For those requiring the full blended learning experience, the optional practical add-on covers harness use and ladder-to-roof ladder transition, providing both the underpinning knowledge and hands-on competency needed to work safely and confidently at height. It does not replace formal work at height training for complex or high-risk tasks, or the competency assessment required for those carrying out formal ladder inspections.