The Ladder Association, formed in 1947, is the UK's leading light on ladder safety, training and innovation.  They advise the Health and Safety Executive about safe ladder use and work with them frequently on any issues related to ladder safety in the workplace.  Members of the association, (which includes us at Midland Ladders as well as manufacturers, distributors, training centres and other ladder related bodies in the UK), can access training, help influence the industry and develop guidance for ladder use, and stay up to date with the latest news in the height access market.

Each year the Ladder Association runs a ladder exchange scheme, which offers customers a discount on a new ladder when they swap their old one for an upgrade at participating suppliers.  This runs alongside a month of safety awareness events and in recent years has included the Idiots on Ladders competition to find the most outrageously bad example of ladder use from the past 12 months.  This aspect is meant to be a bit of fun, but it does have a serious message underpinning it and the rogue’s gallery of poor ladder users is a deterrent for anyone who doesn't want to end up with their picture there next year.

The Ladder Association campaigns all year round for good ladder use and ladder safety, with their current campaign focusing on maintaining 3 points of contact with the ladder at all times, and why this is so important.  Called “Get A Grip', the campaign aims to encourage the safe carrying of items up a ladder, and why a ladder may not always be the most appropriate equipment if lots of things need to be carried up it.

Training courses can be found through the association, which runs courses at approved centres around the UK.  These courses are not limited to the safe use of ladders; there are also courses on ladder inspection and the safe use of step stools for retail workers.  Those who pass an accredited course are given a Ladder Card showing their level of competency, which ranges from User to Instructor (the highest level, which shows a person is competent to teach ladder safety to others).

Not all companies who use ladders need to apply for membership of the Ladder Association, although they can become members and help spread the message about ladder safety.  Membership of the association is a sign that safety is a serious concern.  The Ladder Association website is a great resource for anyone looking to answer questions they may have about whether their ladder is safe, what the other options are for height access and what the current standards are.  There is information on the safe use of practically every type of ladder; so if you have any queries about ladders, in any form, the Ladder Association website is the place to go first.  

They are independent from manufacturers, so there is no worry that you will be getting biased information; they really are there for ladder safety and it's a message they stick to.  They even won the Office for Product Safety and Standards Business of the Year award in 2019, awarded by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. If that isn’t enough to convince you, they also work in partnership with the National Association of Shopfitters and The Access Industry Forum, two major players in the ladder and height access industries.

Awareness months and ladder swap schemes are usually run in September, so watch this space for news of the next ladder safety campaign