Ladders and reachers

Ladders and reachers assist people to physically move to a higher or lower point or to reach items beyond their physical stretch.

Ladders are predominantly made from metal, timber or reinforced plastic and are available in a variety of forms including fixed ladders, extension ladders, step ladders and telescopic ladders. All ladders used should comply with Australian Standards.  

When using portable ladders the following safety principles should be considered:

• all ladders should be placed on a secure footing
• the pitch angle should be set at approximately 4 in 1
• the top of the ladder should be securely and evenly supported
• the top of the ladder should be long enough to extend above the support by at least one metre
• never work above the ladder rung which has been indicated as the highest standing level which is generally the third rung from the top of the ladder
• the ladder should be placed close to the work area to prevent over reaching and it is recommended the user have three limbs on the ladder at all times
• appropriate slip resistant footwear should be worn by the user.

Industrial ladders and domestic ladders have minimum load ratings of 120 kilograms and 100 kilograms respectively.

For information about specific ladders and reachers see the links below:

• Ladders—rolling safety
• order pickers
• reachers
• scaffolding
• step stools

References

Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand 2000, Australian/New Zealand Standard- Portable ladders, Part 5: Selection, safe use and care, Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand, Sydney.

WorkCover NSW 2010, Safety Alert:  Safe Use of Portable Ladders, NSW Government, Sydney, viewed 30 August 2011, http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/formspublications/publications/Documents/safe_use_portable_ladders_safety_alert_2790.pdf.

Links to specific types of ladders and reachers

• Ladders and reachers
• Ladders—rolling safety
• Order pickers
• Reachers
• Scaffolding
• Step stools