Access Ladder Safety Testing and Compliance

Roof Access Ladders provide your employees and contractors with a safe means of access, but are they compliant with current PUWER 1998 regulations? These regulations state that an employer or duty holder have the responsibility of ensuring that all work equipment provided is:

• suitable for the intended use
• safe for use, maintained in a safe condition and inspected to ensure it is correctly installed and does not subsequently deteriorate
• used only by people who have received adequate information, instruction and training
• accompanied by suitable health and safety measures, such as protective devices and controls. These will normally include emergency stop devices, adequate means of isolation from sources of energy, clearly visible markings and warning devices

How often should ladders be inspected?

Access Ladder Systems require regular visual inspection and compliance testing every 12 months or more frequently depending on use.

Contact us immediately if you see signs of:

• Loose or missing fittings or fixtures
• Ladder tracks not running freely
• Snapped ladder ties
• Corrosion or rust
• Bent or dented ladders

Fixed Ladders

Heightsafe’s specialist Testing and Compliance team will conduct a ladder inspection of all fixings, to ensure that they are secure and will examine all moving parts to confirm that they are operating correctly. Fixed Ladders are tested to:

• BS 4211:2005+A1:2008 (specification for permanently fixed ladders)

• BS 5395-3:1985 (Code of Practice for the design of industrial type stairs, permanent ladders and walkways)

• BS EN 14122 (Safety of machinery. Permanent means of access to machinery. Working platforms and walkways)

Temporary Ladders

Heightsafe’s specialist team will undertake an inspection in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations and will follow the Ladder Association guidelines. Temporary Ladders are tested to:

• BS 1129 (specification for portable timber ladders, steps, trestles and lightweight stagings)

• BS 2037 (specification for portable aluminium ladders, steps, trestles and lightweight stagings)

• BS EN 131 (specification for terms, types, functional sizes; Specification for requirements, testing, marking; user instructions; single or multiple hinge-joint ladders)

TIP: Temporary Ladders should only be used for a short duration, it is recommended to not use the system for more than 30 minutes at a time.

Ladder Ties

Following the guidelines of PUWER, Heightsafe’s specialists will also inspect ladder restraint ties in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, including a physical pull test to determine the suitability of fixing.

Why Heightsafe?

Heightsafe’s specialist teams operate nationwide, and with expert knowledge when it comes to work at height compliance you can have peace of mind knowing that you are in safe and trusted hands. Wherever you are based in the UK, with multi or single sites, Heightsafe are happy to help keep you compliant with current work at height legislation and regulations.