With falls from a height continuing to be the leading cause of workplace deaths in the UK, it has never been more important to review ladder safety.
Falls can happen in a number of scenarios, including when personnel are working up a ladder.
Of the various ladders types that exist, access ladders are commonly used within industrial and commercial environments.
Therefore, in some cases, it may be the case that an access ladder requires a cage.
While not intended as a substitute for an independent health and safety assessment, here is an overview of the types of scenarios where adding a cage to a ladder may be warranted.
What Is A Caged Ladder?
Caged ladders are vertical climbing devices that have a protective enclosure. Typically, the structure consists of a cage which is made up of a series of hoops.
The most common usage of caged ladders is when there is a need to safely access a rooftop, especially as roofs can present some of the greatest dangers in terms of potential falls from a height. This is due to the heights involved as well as the presence of unprotected edges. By adding a cage to the ladder, the idea is to safeguard the ladder user.
Regulations for access ladders differ, with the United States falling under OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and ANSI (American National Standards Institute).
However, the regulations which relate to access ladders in the UK are:
- Health and Safety at Work Etc. Act 1974
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- Work at Height Regulations 2005
- BS 4211:2005
What Is The Role Of A Ladder Cage?
The primary reason for adding a cage to a ladder is for fall protection.
Specifically, the cage is designed to act as a safeguarding measure due to significant heights being involved. One of the risks in working at a height is that the ladder operator could lose their balance. However, a cage acts as a physical barrier protecting the worker from free-falling off the side or back of the ladder.
The cage itself can also aid in climbing the ladder. In inclement weather conditions especially, the additional support can make it easier and safer to climb and descend the ladder.
While working at a height should always be avoided where possible, in the case of access ladders that require a cage, sometimes the structure (i.e. the roof) requires immediate access. Therefore, the cage can help reduce the risk of an injury or fatality as a result of a fall from a height.
When Is A Cage Needed?
A ladder cage is required under a specific set of circumstances outlined in the BS 4211:2005 safety standards:
- When an access ladder exceeds a vertical climb of 2.5 meters (8.2ft) and there is no intervening landing, it must have a cage or guardrail installed.
As noted above, different countries (i.e. the United States or Australia) have their own safety standards relating to when a ladder cage is needed. That’s why it’s essential to consult the health and safety advice which applies specifically to your jurisdiction to ensure proper compliance.
In the UK, there are also various regulations about when an access ladder should be installed. Furthermore, there are also strict rules relating to the installation and maintenance of fixed ladders and cages to be aware of.
Finally, the HSE has also issued guidance which states that “Duty holders should be aware that the hoops of a ladder alone may not be effective in safely arresting a fall without injury.” Therefore, employers have a responsibility to ensure they are complying with all required measures to prevent falls from a height, which may also include the use of other safety equipment.
Metreel – Discover Our Ladder Safety Systems UK
Do your operations require your personnel to work at a height?
Metreel can offer your business customised safety solutions, including vertical fall protection equipment.
To discuss your ladder safety, fall protection or fall arrest requirements with our team, please give us a call on 0115 932 7010 or fill out our contact form and we’ll be right with you.