When can a ladder lawfully be used at work?
Schedule 6 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 permits ladder use where (a) the work is short duration (less than 30 minutes), (b) the risk is low, and (c) a safer alternative — scaffold, MEWP, tower — is not reasonably practicable. Employers must justify the choice of ladder in writing, not merely default to it as the cheapest option.
Inspection and condition
Ladders must be visually inspected before each use and formally inspected at intervals appropriate to risk under regulation 12. HSE document LA455 sets the practical standard. Damaged stiles, missing feet, distorted rungs, and corroded fittings all give grounds for a claim if the employer failed to remove the ladder from service.
Common failures that found a claim
Wrong angle (the 1-in-4 rule, 75°); soft, sloping or wet ground without a stabilising device; ladder not tied or footed; overreaching because the ladder was too short; carrying tools or materials in both hands; using a ladder where a tower was the obviously safer choice; using a domestic-grade ladder for trade work in breach of BS EN 131.
How much is a ladder accident claim worth?
Injury-dependent. JCG ranges commonly engaged include moderate back injury £13,740 – £43,580, serious wrist £29,900 – £47,800, severe ankle £33,060 – £52,640, severe head injury £282,010 – £403,990, and paraplegia £267,340 – £346,890. Special damages dominate where the worker is a self-employed tradesperson reliant on physical capacity.
Self-employed and sub-contractors
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to self-employed workers in their own right (regulation 3). A principal contractor on a construction project also has duties under the CDM Regulations 2015 to ensure safe access. Our self-employed accident guide explains the position.
Are ladders banned at work?
No. They are restricted to short-duration, low-risk tasks where safer access equipment is not reasonably practicable.
Can I claim if I supplied my own ladder?
Yes — if the employer's system of work permitted or required ladder use without proper risk assessment, supervision, or alternatives. Bringing your own equipment does not transfer the employer's primary duty to you.
How is a 'short duration' task defined?
HSE guidance treats up to 30 minutes as a reasonable benchmark for short duration, but the test is whether a safer alternative is reasonably practicable, not the time alone.
Browse every plain-English guide in the work accident guides hub, or read the main guide to how a claim works.
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Every claim turns on its own facts. For advice about your specific situation, speak to a regulated solicitor. You can find one through the Find a Solicitor service (Law Society) or through APIL.