The American Ladder Institute

Online video ladder safety training.

Are you using ladders safely? This free ladder safety training is a tool for the proper selection, care and safe use of all ladders, including stepladders, single and extension ladders, articulated ladders, and mobile ladders. Provided by the American Ladder Institute, this training outlines safe ladder practices in all applications, such as construction/painting, building and custodial services, warehousing, power, manufacturing, chemical and petrochemical, oil and gas, and at home.

Additional Safety Resources: In addition to this website, the American Ladder Institute also has these additional resources available:

View written ladder safety information.

Click here to Order copies of the online training on DVD.

Click here to view or order ladder standards.

An Articulated Ladder is a portable ladder with one or more pairs of locking hinges.

Choosing the Right Ladder: Ladders are built from one of three basic materials; wood, fiberglass and metal (aluminum).  

The environment of your work site is the first factor in choosing the material from which your ladder is constructed. For example, if you are working near sources of electricity, a metal ladder should be rejected since aluminum is an electrical conductor. Your body can complete an electrical circuit between the electrical power source, the ladder, and then to the ground in the event of a live wire contact incident. An electrical shock while working from a ladder can trigger a fall or cause your heart to stop leading to serious injury or death. On the other hand, if there are no electrical power sources in your work area, the aluminum ladder is the lightest weight when compared to fiberglass or wood.  

There are also several kinds of ladders manufactured for a variety of uses. Again, evaluation of your work environment and knowledge of what ladders are available will allow you to choose the right ladder for the job. Each of the following considerations addresses safety issues in your work environment: 

Will the ladder be resting on an uneven surface?

Is the work area crowded with people and/or materials?

What obstructions are in the path of the climb?

Next, the proper ladder length must be selected. It is unsafe to use a ladder that is too long or too short. When using a Step Ladder,for example, standing on the top cap or the step below the top cap is not permitted due to the increased likelihood of losing your balance. Likewise, when using an Extension Ladder, the top three rungs are not to be used for climbing. A Straight Ladder is too long, for example, if ceiling height prohibits the ladder from being set-up at the proper angle. Likewise, an Extension Ladder is too long if the ladder extends more than three (3) feet beyond the upper support point. In this case, the portion of the ladder that extends above the upper support point can act like a lever and cause the base of the ladder to move or slide out. Safety standards require a label on the ladder to indicate the highest standing level.

Next, consider the Duty Rating of the ladder. This is an indication of the maximum weight capacity the ladder can safely carry. To figure out the total amount of weight your ladder will be supporting, add:

Your Weight; plus

The Weight of Your Clothing and Protective Equipment; plus

The Weight of Tools and Supplies You Are Carrying; plus

The Weight of Tools and Supplies Stored on the Ladder

There are five categories of ladder Duty Ratings:

Type IAA (Extra Heavy Duty) 375 pounds

Type IA (Extra Heavy Duty) 300 pounds

Type I (Heavy Duty) 250 pounds

Type II (Medium Duty) 225 pounds

Type III (Light Duty) 200 pounds

The Duty Rating of your ladder can be found on the specifications label. Safety standards require a Duty Rating sticker to be placed on the side of every ladder. Do not assume that a longer ladder has a higher weight capacity.   There is no relationship between ladder length and weight capacity.

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Rogue Window Cleaners Reveal Public Perception Of Ladders

Window cleaners have been targeted on social media, but there have been no reports made to the police. 

No complaints over rogue window cleaners in Shepton, say police: Window cleaners in the Shepton Mallet area have been centre stage on social media this week, but for all the wrong reasons. There were a series of posts on Facebook warning of men posing as window cleaners in Shepton Mallet and Evercreech with a view to scoping out or breaking into houses, but police have confirmed that they have not been contacted in relation to these concerns.

Inspector Mark Nicholson, from Avon and Somerset Police, said: "We haven't had any reports of suspicious activity in relation to window cleaners in the Shepton Mallet area and we would ask people to be mindful, when posting on social media, of speculation and comment that could be harmful to legitimate businesses. "However, if you see something suspicious or you suspect a crime is in progress always call us on 999. "We encourage people to be good neighbours and look out for other people in their streets and communities and would certainly ask people to report suspicious activity to us."

A Wells-based window cleaner, who also operates in and around the Shepton area, took to Facebook to reassure his customers, emphasising that he always wears a branded T-shirt when working. Another recounted being treated badly while going about his work.

Suspicions were aroused by men knocking on doors asking residents if they would like their windows cleaned, with some of those approached commenting that the men do not appear fully equipped for the task, carrying only rags and bottles of water.

The men are said to have ladders with them, which some have taken as an indication that they are not legitimate, citing the belief that ladders are now illegal for window cleaners.

The men are said to have ladders with them, which some have taken as an indication that they are not legitimate, citing the belief that ladders are now illegal for window cleaners. However, the Health and Safety Executive simply recommend that ladders should only be used for low-risk, short duration work.

3 Points Of Contact

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Window washers precarious perch: Payroll specialist Fabiola Metellus contacted CJAD via "YOUR STORY." She said she was returning from lunch Thursday afternoon around 2 p.m. when she saw a worker straddling between a ladder and ledge , two stories high, cleaning hotel windows.

He wasn't wearing any safety gear. "With all the ad campaigns that we see on TV about safety in the workplace, why this man is not in one of these mechanical platforms. Why is he on a ladder like this?"

Metellus added, "I hope that first of all that this employee won't get in trouble for me reporting this. Nine times out of ten, somebody will report something something, and unfortunately it's not the employer who gets in trouble, it's the employee."

"But I just wonder, as an employee, don't you feel you have the right to say no?" "And as an employer, how dare you ask your employee to work in such conditions."

When contacted, the Chateau Versailles on Sherbrooke Street West said the external window washing company they use is professional and has never had a safety issue.

3 points of contact.

Ladders – three points of contact: When climbing or working from a ladder or stepladder, three points of contact should be maintained. A recent media story has highlighted the need to clarify this term which appears in our guidance leaflet INDG402.

Download - Safe use of ladders and stepladders (pdf)

OSHA's Fall Prevention Campaign + App' & Videos

Safe Use of Extension Ladders - Workers who use extension ladders risk permanent injury or death from falls and electrocutions. These hazards can be eliminated or substantially reduced by following good safety practices.

OSHA's Fall Prevention Campaign: This is part of OSHA's nationwide outreach campaign to raise awareness among workers and employers about the hazards of falls from ladders, scaffolds and roofs. The educational resources page gives workers and employers information about falls and how to prevent them. There are also training tools for employers to use and posters to display at their worksites. Many of the new resources target vulnerable workers with limited English proficiency.

OSHA has partnered with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) - Construction Sector on this nationwide outreach campaign to raise awareness among workers and employers about common fall hazards in construction, and how falls from ladders, scaffolds and roofs can be prevented and lives can be saved. Here's how:

PLAN ahead to get the job done safely: When working from heights, such as ladders, scaffolds, and roofs, employers must plan projects to ensure that the job is done safely. Begin by deciding how the job will be done, what tasks will be involved, and what safety equipment may be needed to complete each task.

When estimating the cost of a job, employers should include safety equipment, and plan to have all the necessary equipment and tools available at the construction site. For example, in a roofing job, think about all of the different fall hazards, such as holes or skylights and leading edges, then plan and select fall protection suitable to that work, such as personal fall arrest systems (PFAS).

PROVIDE the right equipment: Workers who are six feet or more above lower levels are at risk for serious injury or death if they should fall. To protect these workers, employers must provide fall protection and the right equipment for the job, including the right kinds of ladders, scaffolds, and safety gear.

Different ladders and scaffolds are appropriate for different jobs. Always provide workers with the kind they need to get the job done safely. For roof work, there are many ways to prevent falls. If workers use personal fall arrest systems (PFAS), provide a harness for each worker who needs to tie off to the anchor. Make sure the PFAS fits, and regularly inspect all fall protection equipment to ensure it's still in good condition and safe to use.

TRAIN everyone to use the equipment safely: Falls can be prevented when workers understand proper set-up and safe use of equipment, so they need training on the specific equipment they will use to complete the job. Employers must train workers in hazard recognition and in the care and safe use ladders, scaffolds, fall protection systems, and other equipment they'll be using on the job.

OSHA has provided numerous materials and resources that employers can use during toolbox talks to train workers on safe practices to avoid falls in construction. Falls from ladders, scaffolds and roofs can be prevented and lives can be saved through three simple steps: Plan, Provide and Train.

Videos to watch, click here.

American Ladder Institute Safety Videos

Ladder Safety Guidance case studies
Falling Off Ladders Can Kill: Use Them Safely - Booklet

Safe Use of Extension Ladders - Fact Sheet

App' Link for multi-language - iphone/Android

New App to download

Ladder Safety App' By Centers For Disease Control and Prevention: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is dedicated to ensure the safety of extension-ladder users by developing and disseminating an easy to use interactive ladder safety application for smart phones. 

The NIOSH Ladder Safety application features a multimodal indicator, which uses visual and sound signals to assist the user in positioning an extension ladder at an optimal angle. Furthermore, the application provides graphic-oriented interactive reference materials, safety guidelines and checklists for extension ladder selection, inspection, accessorizing, and use. 

The application is intended to help a wide range of ladder users, employers, and safety professionals, with their ladder-related safety needs. The ladder safety app is also 508 compliant.

New UK Guidance On Working At Height

A brief guide' can be accessed free of charge on line, is significantly simpler to understand and makes it very clear what anyone who works at height or their employers, need to do to properly plan any work at height and dispels a number of classic myths.

New guidance on working at height: The UK HSE has published its new guidance to working at height, including two new concise, easy to read guide books. The launch of this new guidance is pitched by the UK government as a significant step towards reducing red tape, but this is something of a myth as there are no legal changes to what is effectively European wide working at height legislation. However this does not detract from what are major improvements.

The new guides' Work at height - A brief guide' and 'Safe use of ladders - A brief guide' can be accessed free of charge on line, is significantly simpler to understand and makes it very clear what anyone who works at height or their employers, need to do to properly plan any work at height and dispels a number of classic myths.

The HSE summarises the new guidance as:

• Providing simple advice about do's and don'ts when working at height to ensure people are clear on what the law requires
• Busting some of the persistent myths about health and safety law, such as the banning of ladders when they can still be used 
• Offering targeted advice to helping business in different sectors manage serious risks sensibly and proportionately 
• Helping workers to be clearer about their own responsibilities for working safely.

Click to enlarge.

Printed versions of the two publications are also available for a small fee and can be ordered online, they are hosted on an improved working at height web page which is an excellent source for anyone who works at height. The guides are clearly visible but if you prefer click here to go directly to Work at height - 'A brief guide' and here for 'Safe use of ladders - A brief guide.'

Click to go directly to the guides section of the library

HSE chairman Judith Hackitt said: "It is important to get working at height right. Falls remain one of the biggest causes of serious workplace injury - with more than 40 people killed and 4,000 suffering major injuries every year. We have a sensible set of regulations and have been working with business to improve our guidance - making it simpler and clearer and dispelling some of the persistent myths about what the law requires."

"The result is advice that employers can count on to help them manage their businesses sensibly and proportionately. The need to ensure people understand what the law requires was identified in the independent review of health and safety regulation undertaken by Professor Ragnar L￶fstedt, and this proposal has been developed through the Red Tape Challenge."

For more health & safety guidance forms for window cleaners go here.

Three Dangerous Attitudes That Lead To Fatal Falls

“I Don’t Work Very High - I’ll Catch Myself, I Have Good Balance.”

Three Dangerous Attitudes that Lead to Fatal Falls (by John Braun, CSP, CHST, Co-Owner, Signature Safety, LLC): Despite efforts to reduce falls, they still remain the number one killer in construction.  They also account for approximately 12% of fatal occupational injuries across all industries. We educate, inspect, and discipline, yet falls continue to occur. Why? Perhaps part of the answer is that workers seem to have many misconceptions about falling, beginning with ‘it can’t happen to me’. It can, and it does. Beyond that, though, there seem to be a few misconceptions that exist across industry, gender, and age group, beginning with:

“I Don’t Work Very High” - While it’s true that in 2012, 25% of fatal falls occurred in falls greater than 30 feet, it is also true that 25% of fatal falls occurred in falls less than 10 feet.  Let’s allow that to sink in.  Just as many people died from falls less than 10 feet as from more than 30 feet.  Fall fatalities aren’t all about how far you fall and how hard you hit the ground, but also which body part hits.  Striking your head at any height can be fatal. There’s a reason OSHA’s fall protection rules don’t begin at 20 or 30 feet – because you don’t have to fall far to be seriously injured or killed.

“I’ll Catch Myself” - Some people actually believe that their reaction time is so good – that they are so quick – that if they were to fall, they would just catch themselves.  While this might work if a) you felt like you were about to fall and b) there was actually something nearby to grab onto, the fact of the matter is if you do fall, you are out of arms reach in a blink of an eye.  Let’s take a look at how fast you fall..

Six feet in half a second.  It’s probably safe to say that nobody reading this article has arms six feet long or can react in less than half a second.  In one second - perhaps the amount of time it takes for your brain to consciously register “Oh, this is happening” - you’ve already fallen 16 feet.  In many situations, this will mean you’ve already hit the level below.

“I Have Good Balance” Maybe so.  In perfect conditions, this may be enough to keep you safe, but in what job do you have perfect conditions and a perfectly controlled environment?  If we’re speaking about construction or other outdoor work, you may have an unexpected gust of wind or a misty rain that’s making your walking surface slippery.  A co-worker or piece of equipment may have spilled an oily substance that you are unaware of.  Something could swing into you or your path, such as a rigged load on a crane, or equipment being set by a forklift.  Worse yet, you could back up and trip into a skylight and, like Joe, fall several stories to your death.

Or, your own health could work against you.  Anybody who has ever experienced an attack of low blood sugar can tell you that it can be both dizzying and unexpected.  A mild heart attack could be survivable, but probably not at 30’ with no fall protection.  Who hasn’t, at some point, moved just a little too quickly and experienced a ‘head rush’?  Any of these things could result in an otherwise ‘balanced’ worker plummeting to their death.

Conclusion A fall is a fall.  Once it happens, there will be no dramatic life-saving fingertip catch by your co-worker like you see in the movies.  Falls can happen and, unfortunately, do happen.  Every single person who has died from a fall in which the victim was not utilizing provided fall protection most likely believed one of the myths above.  Otherwise, knowing the potential result of their actions, why would they have chosen to forego it?  Wear your fall protection, because nobody can defy the laws of gravity.

R.I.P. Brian Cullen

Brian Cullen, window cleaner known affectionately as “Tubby” to his friends.

Window cleaner Brian Cullen died in ‘12ft’ fall: Neighbours have spoken of their disbelief after a popular window cleaner died after falling 12ft off his ladder yesterday. Brian Cullen, known affectionately as “Tubby” to his friends, had been on a regular round on West Granton Road when he came off his ladder. One witness said he landed on metal railings after falling the short distance. The 56-year-old was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary but later died from head injuries.

Peter and Margaret McQueen, who live a few doors down from his home on Ferry Gait Walk, said he was “a lovely man” who everyone knew. They said he ran TCs Window Cleaning Services with his son, Mark, and must have climbed his ladder thousands of times in his career.

Retired Margaret, 70, who had her windows cleaned by “Tubby” since she moved in seven years ago, described him as “such a nice person” and the Cullens as a “lovely” family. “Mark will be devastated. He was around here every day at 7am. They would go out together in the morning cleaning windows.

“When I saw the van outside their house I thought it was strange. “It’s such a tragedy. He said he was only doing low windows because it was getting him a row. It’s terrible that this has happened.”

Husband Peter, 76, added: “He will certainly be missed by a lot of people. Tubby was liked by everyone.” Emergency services were called to the two-storey flat at 10.10am after a client saw him fall. Rachael Napier, 68, who called the emergency services after finding Brian trapped, said: “I ran out and he was hanging on the fence. “He must have hit his chest as he was coming down. It’s a tragedy. Everybody knew him. He was a lovely guy.”

But the dad-of-two suffered massive head injuries and doctors failed to save him. Student Ammar Ibrahim, 17, who lives in the neighbouring flat, said: “The police were knocking on doors asking if anyone had seen anything. It’s so sad to think that he’s died.”

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said he had been washing windows on that street “for years”. She said: “When you looked at the ladder and the height he’s fallen, you just wouldn’t expect it. The poor man. Everyone knew him, it’s such a shame.” His death is at least the second in the city this year from window-related falls.

In March window fitter Mark Paterson, 32, fell 70ft from the top floor of a tenement on Inverleith Row, while window cleaner Martin Greig survived a 40ft plunge last month. A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Police in Edinburgh responded to an address in West Granton Road following reports that a male fell from a ladder while working in the street. “He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburghfor treatment after sustaining a serious head injury. However, he died within the hospital. “Inquiries into the full circumstances surrounding this incident are ongoing and officers are liaising with the Health and Safety Executive.”

Hospital: Brian Cullen died after falling from his ladder.

Window cleaner who died after falling from ladder named locally: A window cleaner who died after falling from a ladder in Edinburgh has been named locally. Brian Cullen was working at flats on West Granton Road in the city when he fell at around 10.30am on Tuesday. The 56-year-old was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary but later died from serious head injuries. An investigation has been launched by Police Scotland and the Health and Safety Executive.

A spokesman for the force said: "Police in Edinburgh responded to an address in West Granton Road at around 10.35am on Tuesday 5th November following reports that a male fell from a ladder while working in the street. "He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment after sustaining a serious head injury. However, he died within the hospital. "Enquiries into the full circumstances surrounding this incident are ongoing and officers are liaising with the Health and Safety Executive."

Window Cleaner Scotland - Ladder Death

The scene of the accident on West Granton Road.

Window cleaner dies in West Granton Road fall: A window cleaner has been killed after falling from a ladder in Edinburgh today. It is understood the man was working at flats on West Granton Road when he fell at around 10.30am. He was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary but died from serious head injuries. A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Police in Edinburgh responded to an address in West Granton Road following reports that a male fell from a ladder while working in the street. “He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment after sustaining a serious head injury. However, he died within the hospital. “Enquiries into the full circumstances surrounding this incident are ongoing and officers are liaising with the Health and Safety Executive.”

Hospital: The man died after sustaining serious head injuries in the fall.

Window cleaner dies after falling from ladder at Edinburgh flats: A window cleaner has died after falling from a ladder in Edinburgh. The man was working at flats on West Granton Road in the city when he fell at around 10.30am on Tuesday. He was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary but later died from serious head injuries. An investigation has been launched by Police Scotland and the Health and Safety Executive.

Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

A spokesman for the force said: "Police in Edinburgh responded to an address in West Granton Road at around 10.35am on Tuesday 5th November following reports that a male fell from a ladder while working in the street. "He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment after sustaining a serious head injury. However, he died within the hospital. "Enquiries into the full circumstances surrounding this incident are ongoing and officers are liaising with the Health and Safety Executive."

Window cleaner dies after falling from ladder: A window cleaner has died after falling from a ladder while he was working. The man suffered a serious head injury in the fall in Edinburgh this morning. He was taken to the city's Royal Infirmary but died at the hospital. His name and age have not yet been confirmed. The incident happened just after 10.30am in West Granton Road which contains a number of flats, although it is not known how far the man fell. Police and the Health and Safety Executive are looking into what happened.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Police in Edinburgh responded to an address in West Granton Road at around 10.35am on Tuesday 5th November following reports that a male fell from a ladder while working in the street. "He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment after sustaining a serious head injury. However, he passed away within the hospital. "Inquiries into the full circumstances surrounding this incident are ongoing and officers are liaising with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)." A spokeswoman for the body said: "The HSE is aware and is liaising with Police Scotland in the investigation."

Idiots On Ladders

It’s estimated that over two million ladders are in daily use in the UK, and with falls from height still one of the main causes of death and injury in the workplace, it’s vital that these ladders and stepladders are regularly inspected and safe to use.

Idiots on Ladders: After the huge success of last year’s contest to find the biggest idiot on a ladder – which saw thousands of people tuning into the Ladder Association’s Facebook page every week to view, vote and send in pictures of the most stupid ladder use they could find – Idiots on Ladders is back for 2013. When it comes to working at height, just as important as getting the right equipment is knowing how to use it.

The Ladder Exchange means nothing if people take their new ladders home and start balancing on them on one leg, so Idiots on Ladders is on a mission to shame the worst. Taken or found a picture of ridiculously unsafe ladder use? Just either post it on the Facebook page, send it to us on Twitter, or email michael.fern@ladderassociation.org.uk with the picture attached. The voting works just like last year – the number of ‘Likes’ each picture gets on Facebook is tallied up and the winner is announced at the end of the Ladder Exchange.

It’s estimated that over two million ladders are in daily use in the UK, and with falls from height still one of the main causes of death and injury in the workplace, it’s vital that these ladders and stepladders are regularly inspected and safe to use. The annual Ladder Exchange, now run and managed by the Ladder Association, is your opportunity to exchange any dodgy, bent and broken ladders for safe, brand new ones. Simply take your old ladders to a participating partner near you and swap them at a discount. You get a new ladder at a concessionary price and everyone stays safe. And this year you’ve got an extra month to do it in!

Now extended to 31st December 2013! It’s estimated that over two million ladders are in daily use in the UK, and with falls from height still one of the main causes of death and injury in the workplace, it’s vital that these ladders and stepladders are regularly inspected and safe to use. The annual Ladder Exchange, now run and managed by the Ladder Association, is your opportunity to exchange any dodgy, bent and broken ladders for safe, brand new ones. Simply take your old ladders to a participating partner near you and swap them at a discount. You get a new ladder at a concessionary price and everyone stays safe. And this year you’ve got an extra month to do it in! 

Click to enlarge.

Is My Ladder Dodgy? It might not always be easy to tell if your ladder is in a fit state to work with, and a ladder that worked fine before could become unsafe the next time it’s used. With that in mind, here’s a checklist approved by the Health & Safety Executive that should be carried out by the user at the beginning of the working day and after a change (like dropping the ladder or moving it from a dirty to a clean area). If you are still unsure on whether your ladder is fit for use simply take it to one of the Ladder Exchange trade-in partners and they will check it over for you.

Applied Load Points, Vectors & Base Slip For UK Ladders

The Hunter Ladder utilising Applied Load Point (ALP) and a Standard Load Vector (SLV).

RESEARCH AND TESTING: In 2000 the HSE commissioned Loughborough University to undertake detailed research into portable ladders and how they are used and how they fail. The result of their research, published in 2004, is available on the HSE Website. Their research led them to identify four potential failure modes:

• Base Slip
• Loss of top contact
• Top side slip
• Flip

They also identified the Applied Load Point (ALP) and a Standard Load Vector (SLV – the direction in which load should be applied) and the actual loads required to simulate a ladder user approaching the point of “misuse”. They then produced a Workshop Test Procedure and a series of tests using the ALP and the SLV and the different loads needed to identify if a Device Augmented Ladder (DAL) passed these tests, in which case the ladder was deemed to be “effective”, and fit for use. For a ladder to be deemed “effective” it had to remain standing when subjected to all these tests. This is clearly defined in the WAHR 2005.

DEVELOPMENT: In order to better understand the Loughborough Workshop Test proposals Ladder Safety Devices constructed a nine metre high test rig (right) and carried out extensive empirical tests on various prototypes and was able to develop a system which does indeed prevent failure in all four of the modes identified by the Loughborough report and thus complies with the requirements of the HSE as detailed in the HSE Operational Circular OC200/30 (see paragraph 32-38) issued on 4/11/05.

The result of that development is the range of Hunter Ladders which is unique in being the only range of ladders which are manufactured to the high specification demanded by the British Standard BS EN131 and at the same time comply with the Health and Safety Executive’s equally demanding standards regarding stability, as defined in HSE OC200/30 (see paragraph 32-38).

LEVELLER: It is a requirement of the HSE that the rungs of all ladders must be levelled (i.e.horizontal) before the ladder can be used (See HSE Ladders Leaflet INDG402). Every Hunter Ladder is fitted with an integral leveller in both of its  stiles, each one capable of providing an adjustment of 125mm (5”) in increments of 3mm (1⁄8”). This will enable the ladder to be set up on a slope of 16 degrees – the steepest slope permitted by the HSE. Adjustment is achieved very quickly by positioning the ladder, removing one of the locking pins, allowing the ladder to level itself, replacing the pin in the nearest visible hole (which is never more than 1.5mm (1⁄16”) away) and turning the pin to lock it.

BASE SLIP: The adjustable leveller sections have moulded feet which are made of specially formulated rubber designed to provide a very high level of grip on any substrate giving a level of resistance to base slip which complies with the HSE requirements and far exceeds that provided by standard ladder feet.

RESISTANCE TO SIDE SLIP AND FLIP: Every Hunter Ladder has on each side a one metre long stabilising bar which is clamped on below the bottom rung and hinges down to the ground. A telescopic strut which is attached at each arms centre point has 30 possible locking positions in increments of 12mm, to cater for uneven ground. These arms provide excellent lateral stability and complete resistance to “flip”.

TOP SIDE SLIP: At the top of every Hunter Ladder is a pair of wheels which are clamped to the ladder stiles. The rubber used in the “tyres” is of a special formulation which provides excellent grip on any substrate and gives excellent resistance to Top Side Slip. These wheels are also invaluable when running a ladder up a wall.

The Hunter Ladder: The entire range of Hunter Ladders is the only range of ladders which are manufactured to the high specification demanded by the British Standard BS EN131 and are fully compliant with the Health and Safety Executive’s demanding stability standards HSE OC200/30 paragraphs 32- 38.

The Hunter Stanbilising System Retrofit: A similar degree of stability and safety can be added to your existing ladders by fitting the Hunter Stanbilising System. This kit consists of the same wheels that are fitted to all Hunter Ladders, the same stabilising arms but with a clamp for the top mounting instead of a bolted fixing, plus a pair of levellers which slide over the stile rather than being inside the stile. The degree of stability is the same as in all Hunter Ladders. The end product is equally user-friendly. Fitting requires no drilling. Two kits are available, one with wheels, arms and levellers and one with wheels, arms and feet fitted with slip resistant rubber. Only spanners are needed and these are supplied with every kit.

Idiots On Ladders

Ladder Association stresses the importance of safe equipment following Birmingham prosecution.

Idiots on Ladders: , a new Facebook campaign from the Ladder Association. At the Ladder Association, we say that the right ladders used in the right way are invaluable and safe workplace tools. The importance of making sure ladder users are well trained, and using the proper equipment for the job, becomes obvious when compared to the crazy and dangerous situations some people put themselves in. So we are launching a campaign to find the worst uses of ladders out there. If you find a picture or a video showing off some ladder lunacy, or snap a picture of some mad ladder use when you're out and about, then send it over to the Ladder Association. (You might also want to explain to the Ladder user in question that he is working unsafely!)

Competition: By drawing attention to bad and unsafe practice on ladders we hope to shame people into working safely. As well as finding pictures and videos yourself, by asking your followers on your own Facebook and Twitter pages to send in dangerous ladder pictures/videos, you will be able to take a more direct part and help get even more people engaged in the contest. For our part, we will put all the pictures and videos we receive on an album on our Facebook page and, through the number of "Likes" each gets, find out which of them is the biggest idiot on a ladder. To take part, just send a picture or a link of a picture or a video via the following methods: Tweet us on @Ladder_Tweet, or post it to our Facebook page. Alternatively, email your picture to michael.fern@ladderassociation.org.uk (please don't email any videos). Then get your own followers doing the same thing on your own Facebook /Twitter pages, and let's find the best (or worst) idiot on a ladder! The winner will be announced on Monday December 3rd 2012.

Ladder Exchange 1 September -  30 November 2012: Trade in your old or dodgy ladders and get a brand new shiny safe ladder in return!!! The Ladder Exchange is a great example of how everyone in the health and safety system can share responsibility and work together towards a common goal; namely, reducing falls from height.

10,000 Ladders and Rising !!! With immediate effect, the Ladder Association has assumed responsibility for delivering the annual Ladder Exchange. Since its launch, the initiative has been responsible for removing over 10,000 broken, bent or damaged ladders from the workplace with the message 'Don't let a dodgy ladder shatter your life'. Now in its sixth consecutive year, the Ladder Exchange, which begins on 1 September and runs until 30 November 2012, provides all businesses with the opportunity to exchange broken, bent or damaged ladders for safe, new ones at a discounted price. Actively supported by the Ladder Association and its members who, throughout, have made a firm commitment to work in partnership with HSE and the access industry, the Exchange has also contributed to raising awareness and understanding of how to use ladders and stepladders safely. Under the scheme, suspect ladders can be exchanged, at a discount, at participating partners.

Clickable links...

Ladder Falls: Even The Most Experienced Can Fall

Window Cleaners Star In: Ladders, Tables & Death Wishes  

Is Cleaning a Window Worth Your Life?

Protect Your Brain - More Ladder Falls

DeathWish: HomeOwners Clean Their Own Windows