HSE have recently issued guidance to clarify some of the misconceptions about using ladders at work. A key issue is the understanding of the “3 points of contact” rule. Workers can minimise their risk of falling by always retaining 3 points of contact – therefore when climbing they only move a foot when both hands are secure and vice versa. However, the new guidance makes it clear that when working from steps the rule does not mean that one hand has to always be on the ladder – as this would limit tasks to those which can only be done with one hand!  One of the 3 points of contact might be a knee or other part of the body: the key being to make sure that the worker is stable and secure at all times.

The guidance also clarifies the misunderstanding that ladders at work are banned.  They are not – but they should only be used for short, light duration work! Your first thought when faced with a task which seems to require  working at height should always be, is there another way to do this task which can avoid work at height. An example would be cleaning windows – instead of standing on ladders for an extended duration, you could stand on the ground and use an extended brush instead.