Working at heights training for ladder and platform safety

Nov. 18, 2011 - PRLog -- It is essential for companies that use ladders, or working platforms, on a day-to-day basis, that the staff members are properly trained.

This is not just a moral decision - it is essential to follow safety regulations. An untrained employee would have the law on his side if he injures himself.

Luckily there is a countrywide credited course that covers both the theoretical and practical features of working with ladders, step ladders, roof ladders, industrial ladders, working platforms and any situation where working at height is an issue.

‘Working at height training’, as it is known, is especially designed to provide the correct knowledge and skills to employees in order to work safely with ladders and working platforms.

Wherever you work, whatever you do, if you are working at height then working at height training is necessary.

Select companies can provide working at height training across the country.

Working at height training for ladders and working platforms can be provided on-site or at an official training centre.

The possibility of injury claims involving ladders

In reality, we all know that working up a ladder is implicitly dangerous. That is why there is legalisation in place to ensure ladder accidents do not occur.

The HSE recently reported 3350 major work incidents were caused by falls from height, 46 of which were fatal.

As an employer, understand your ladder safety obligations


It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure no-one injurers themselves from falling off a ladder or working platform. Where possible, employers should avoid working at height tasks.

Sometimes, however, this is not possible. In this case, it is the employer’s responsibility to provide the right safety equipment. The chances of falling from ladders must be minimised as much as possible.

Next, in order to ensure the task is done as safely as possible, you should be fully trained using the working at height training programme.

Regular re-training is also essential. Risk assessments of any ladder must be done to ensure absolute security of ladders.

All factors must be taken into consideration - such as the weather, surface stability, the right type of ladder and the quality of the ladder need to be looked at before you start the job.


Working at height training for ladders and working platforms is a necessity not a choice


It is obvious that working at height is not always safe.

Employees need to understand how to work safely with ladders. It may seem basic, but if this is not understood, you could have a serious injury and a potential lawsuit on your hands.

A single day of working at height training will provide a platform to make logical decisions about what to do when working with potentially dangerous height equipment.

Practical exercises cover the correct way to connect working platforms and using various kinds of ladders.

Most importantly, if employees have been trained and the proper safety equipment is used, risk will be minimised and if there is an accident you will be safe in the knowledge that you took every possible course of action to avoid it.


For more information on working at height training in ladders and ladder safety, visit http://www.brownsladders.co.uk.