A ladder is not a first choice for work at height: under the Work at Height Regulations 2005 you should use one only when a risk assessment shows that more suitable equipment is not justified because the risk is low and either the use is short or site features cannot be altered. When one is suitable, you check it before every use, set it up on firm, level ground, keep three points of contact and keep your body within the sides. A stepladder is a different tool with its own rules, because it stands by itself and must be used fully open.
Key takeaways
- HSE guidance accepts ladders for low risk, short duration tasks, but not as a default choice for longer or more demanding work at height.
- Check the ladder before each use, because damage that you do not spot is damage that can fail under load.
- Set a ladder on firm, level ground and secure it, and never rely on loose items to make it stable.
- Keep three points of contact where you can, and do not overreach, because a sideways shift of your weight is a common cause of falls.
- A stepladder is freestanding and should be fully open with its locking devices engaged, while a ladder leans on something and needs a secure top.
- This guide is independent and not affiliated with CSCS or CITB, so check HSE and your employer's rules for the full picture.
When a ladder is a suitable work position
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require you to avoid work at height where reasonably practicable, to prevent falls where you cannot avoid it, and to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall where a risk remains. The regulations do not ban ladders. They say that ladders can be used where a risk assessment shows that the use of more suitable work equipment is not justified because of the low risk and the short duration of use, or the existing features of the site that cannot be altered.
That is how HSE's work at height guidance treats them too. Ladders suit light work of short duration. They are a poor choice for a long task, for heavy or awkward materials, or for work where you cannot keep a hand free to hold on. If you find yourself planning a job in which you will stay up a ladder for a long time or carry a lot, that is a sign to ask for a better work platform.
Questions to ask before you choose a ladder
- Is the task short and of low risk?
- Can I do the work without carrying anything heavy or awkward up the ladder?
- Is there a firm, level surface to place it on?
- Can the ladder be secured, or can someone else foot it if securing is not possible?
- Would a tower, a podium or a platform be more suitable?
If the answer to the last question is yes, use the safer equipment. This links to the basic hierarchy explained in our guide on working at height basics.
Checks before use
A ladder that is unsafe to use should not be used at all. Good practice is to check a ladder before each use, including one that is borrowed or newly delivered (general practice). Your employer may have an inspection routine and tagging system. Follow it, and do not treat a tag as a substitute for looking.
A sensible pre-use check covers:
- Stiles and rungs. Look for bends, cracks, splits, missing rungs or loose rungs.
- Feet. Make sure the feet are present, not worn away, and suitable for the surface.
- Locking devices. On extending ladders and stepladders, check that locks, hinges and spreaders work properly.
- Contamination. Check for mud, grease, wet paint or other substances on the rungs or steps, and clean them off before use.
- Overall condition. If a ladder has been dropped, damaged or modified, do not use it.
If anything is wrong, take the ladder out of use and report it so that nobody else uses it. Do not repair a damaged ladder yourself.
Setting up and using a ladder
Positioning
Place the ladder on firm, level ground. Do not stand it on loose bricks, blocks, boxes or other makeshift packing to make up the height. The ladder should lean at the angle recommended in the manufacturer's instructions, not too steep and not too shallow (general practice). The top should rest against a solid surface, not against something that can move such as plastic guttering.
Securing
A ladder should be secured against slipping. Tying it at the top is the usual way. Where you cannot tie it, other methods such as a stability device or footing may be used, but follow the guidance that applies to your site and ask if you are unsure. When the ladder is used to reach another level, it should extend far enough above that level to give a secure handhold. Check HSE's guidance for the exact figures rather than relying on remembered numbers.
Climbing and working
- Face the ladder and climb carefully.
- Keep three points of contact where you can, such as two feet and one hand, or two hands and one foot (general practice).
- Avoid carrying loads that stop you holding on. Use a tool belt or raise materials by another method.
- Do not overreach. Keep your body within the sides of the ladder and come down and move it instead.
- Do not use a ladder for strenuous or heavy work, and take care with power tools that could throw you off balance.
- Look out for overhead hazards such as electrical lines before you set the ladder up.
Wear suitable footwear with clean soles so your feet grip the rungs. For more on protective equipment more generally, see PPE on site.
Ladders and stepladders compared
A ladder and a stepladder are used differently. Treat them as separate tools.
| Feature | Leaning ladder | Stepladder |
|---|---|---|
| How it stands | Leans against a wall or other solid surface | Stands by itself on its own legs |
| Where it must be secured | At the top or the base so it cannot slip | Fully open, with spreaders or locks engaged |
| Main use | Access to another level, or short work | Short, light work at a low working height |
| Common mistake | Resting the top on something weak or uneven | Using it half open, or leaning it against a wall |
| Standing position | On the rungs, keeping three points of contact | Below the top step unless a platform and handrail are provided |
| Side loads | Avoid sideways forces | Avoid working side-on with a force that tips it over |
Never use a stepladder as a leaning ladder, and never use the top step or tread of a stepladder unless it is designed as a platform with a handrail (general practice). Check the manufacturer's instructions for the specific model.
Common ladder mistakes
- Using a defective ladder because "it only needs to last one job".
- Standing a ladder on unstable ground or on makeshift packing.
- Leaving the top unsecured or resting on a weak surface.
- Overreaching to save time moving the ladder.
- Carrying heavy items that prevent you holding on.
- Using a ladder for a long or strenuous task when a platform would be safer.
- Failing to report damage found during checks.
Practice check
These two questions are original and written for this site. They are not from the real test.
Question 1. A worker is about to use a ladder for a short, low risk task. What should they do first?
- A. Start climbing straight away to save time
- B. Check the ladder for damage and set it up on firm, level ground
- C. Rest the top on loose boxes for extra height
- D. Ask someone else to hold their tools while they climb with no hands free
Answer: B. A visual check each time and a firm, level base come first. Loose packing makes the ladder unstable, and climbing without a hand free removes the contact needed for balance.
Question 2. Which is the correct way to use a stepladder?
- A. Lean it against a wall like a ladder
- B. Use it half open to fit a narrow space
- C. Use it fully open with its locking devices engaged
- D. Stand on the top step to reach higher
Answer: C. A stepladder is freestanding and must be fully open with its locks engaged. Leaning it, using it half open or standing on the top step all make a fall more likely.
For more, try the free practice questions or read other safety guides.
FAQ
Are ladders allowed on construction sites?
Yes, but only where a risk assessment shows that other equipment is not justified because the task is low risk and short in duration, or because of existing site features that cannot be changed. HSE guidance treats them as suitable for light, short tasks, not as a general-purpose work platform.
What does three points of contact mean?
It means keeping at least three of your four limbs in contact with the ladder at all times, for example two feet and one hand. It helps you stay balanced and is difficult when carrying loads, which is why you should avoid carrying anything that stops you holding on.
What is the difference between a ladder and a stepladder?
A leaning ladder rests against a solid surface and must be secured. A stepladder stands by itself and must be used fully open with its locking devices engaged. Do not use one as the other.
How often should I check a ladder?
Check it before every use. Your employer may also have a formal inspection routine, which you should follow in addition to your own check, and any damaged ladder should be taken out of use and reported.
Sources
Independent guide, not affiliated with, authorised by, approved by or endorsed by CSCS or CITB. Last updated 2026-10-08.