How to use ladders on stairs

General guidance dictates that ladders should be positioned on level ground to ensure maximum stability whilst they are in use. According to the guidelines set out by the Health and Safety Executive, “you should only use ladders in situations where they can be used safely, e.g. where the ladder will be level and stable.” Therefore, at first sight, it would appear that the use of ladders on stairs isn’t typically recommended by the HSE. However, if you need some extra height while working on a staircase, there are good safe options available to you at BPS Access Solutions.

Using multi-purpose ladders on stairs

We provide a wide range of multi-purpose and combination ladders that can be configured to suit exactly what task you need it for. Some of these ladders include a configuration that makes them suitable and safe for use on stairs. When you use a combination ladder on stairs (you should only do so if the ladder is specifically designed for it) there is a need to ensure you adhere to all of the usual safety guidelines for ladders and step ladders. This means that you should:

  •       Maintain at least three points of contact with the ladder at all times
  •       Avoid overreaching while you are on the ladder. If you cannot get to the area you need, you should climb down and reposition the ladder
  •       Keep below the ladder’s maximum load limit
  •       Only carry light tools and materials and only things you really need
  •       Take your time, climbing up a ladder is not a race, and you don’t need to rush
  •       Follow the guidelines that come in your ladder’s instruction manual

What is the best ladder for stairs?

We can supply a wide variety of different stair ladders for you to choose from, and each comes with its own unique selling points and benefits. However, our 3-section and 2-section stair combination ladders are a few of our most popular multi-purpose ladders and are great options if you need ladders that can be used on stairs.

Working at height on stairs can present several challenges and difficulties, not least of which is being able to work safely. A fall from a ladder can be dangerous at the best of times, but a fall from high up onto a hard, uneven surface like a staircase can have serious consequences. As well as this, there are some other factors to consider when you are working on stairs.

An uneven floor surface

If only a normal ‘A’ frame ladder is available to you, it can be tempting to position it on two different steps for ‘just a quick job, only this once’. However, any work completed on stairs should be done at a 70-degree angle for complete stability, balance, and safety. As regular step ladders are designed to open at this angle when fully erected, attempting to balance them on different levels, in this case varying steps on a staircase, puts them straight away at a dangerous angle and increases the risk of the climber falling.

Even the small amount of ‘bounce’ you experience when going up the ladder can leave you more vulnerable to a fall or small motions and overextending at the top of the ladder can lead to it tipping over. The taller the step ladder, the higher the chance is of this happening.

Restricted workspace

Indoor staircases are typically narrow, confined spaces, making it more awkward to work in. Even though it is possible to situate the base of a straight ladder on a step and brace it against the opposite wall for stability, this will mean that one of the surfaces that you want to decorate will have the ladder leaning against it.

With these factors in mind, it is worth looking at the different types of combination ladders for stairs available through BPS Access Solutions to find the right one for you.

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