What is Ladder Association Training & Do I Need It?
Ladder Training isn't considered a necessity by law, but the importance is often overlooked. The HSE recommends that anyone using ladders needs to be competent and carrying out officially certified training is one way to do this. Teaching the basics of ladder health and safety can help prevent potential injuries and inform others on how to identify if a ladder is a potential risk.
If you still have doubts about ladder training and why it’s important continue reading for more information.
What is Ladder Training?
Ladder Training is a one-day course that aims to teach you the fundamentals on how to reduce the risk of ladder-related injuries and prevent accidents from height. Starting with Pre-checks training courses show you what you should look for before even taking a single step on a ladder. It then moves on to how to safety ascent and descent as well as giving general rules of thumb for ultimate safety when working at height.
Why is ladder training important?
Ladder training is important because ladders are a commonly used tool and often aren't used correctly according to the ladder association, therefore providing people with ladder training can help reduce injuries, the course also teaches you how to identify potential risks or problems with equipment such as “Missing feet” or “Slippery treads” which helps keep yourself and others safe before an incident occurs.
What does Ladder training consist of?
The Ladder Association User and Inspector Course takes place over a 4–7-hour period and upon completion each delegate will receive a photo ID card and certificate to prove competency.
The training consists of multiple stages which teach and test your ladder health and safety skills and knowledge. The accredited trainer will then share the importance of safe working at height and the disastrous consequences avoiding this advice can have on not only the user but on their family and friends. After being shown how to safely operate step and extension ladders you will be shown how to inspect ladders for potential faults.
The Ladder Association User and Inspector course consist of a written multiple-choice exam then a practical ladder inspection section.
Where can you get your ladder training?
Ladder Association Training is easily accessible at over 80+ test centres/facilities that are spread throughout the UK. Our test centre in Bolton is available for all our local customers, please get in touch should you wish to train at another location in the UK or if it’d be easier for us to come to site and carry out the training.
What you should do to keep yourself safe while using a ladder?
While using a ladder you should always follow safety protocols in order to minimise the chance of an injury occurring.
- Always try to maintain 3 points of contact to assure you have a good grip and can maintain your balance.
- Make sure to keep your body located centrally and as near the middle of the ladder's steps as possible.
- Always Look forwards towards the ladder and avoid turning away from the ladder as this can increase the chance of an accident/injury.
- Maintain the right height for the job no overreaching or stretching.
- No standing on the handrails.
Following these guidelines will help keep you safe while occupying a ladder and minimizing the chances of an accident occurring while maintaining the safety regulations of the Ladder Association. The training will give you much more information on how to stay safe in more detail with working examples.
Procedures to follow before using a ladder? - Pre-checks
Before using a ladder, you should always do a thorough check/inspection to ensure it's safe to use, always check for these before use.
- check all four feet to make sure they are in a good condition check the base of the ladders to make sure its firm and stable.
- make sure you are using the correct footwear make sure the steps are in a good condition and aren't unstable.
- Missing or damaged tie rods
- Cracked or damaged Welded joints.
Failing to check for these things will increase your risk and could potentially end in injury, ladders should always be checked before being used.
Conclusion
Ladder safety is something that’s often overlooked and should be more openly taught and accepted. There are a wide variety of training centres that are spread throughout the UK, therefore, accessibility isn't an issue. Lots of fire exits use ladders especially on taller buildings or apartment complexes so knowing how to use a ladder safely is an important factor. Overall ladder safety is something that only really has benefits and should be a priority for anyone that uses ladders frequently.
If you have any further questions about this topic, feel free to contact us at 01204 590 232 or email our team at customerservice@ladderstore.com