This is still the most common type of workplace fatality, even 20 years after the 2005 Working at Height regulation, showing the shortfall of the UK’s workplace management.
- 35 workers died falling from height in the year April 2024 to March 2025.
- In the last 10 years, 361 people have died due to falling from height, making the annual average 36.1. That’s enough to fill an Airbus A350-1000.
These statistics demonstrate the lack of change in the last 10 years, despite all the improvements made in health and safety messaging and equipment.
But statistics are just numbers; it is important to remember these fatalities are real people.
Which workers are impacted the most?
Records show that self-employed people are the group suffering the most, as they accounted for 66% of fatal falls, whilst only accounting for 12% of other workplace incidents. These people are responsible for themselves, can often work alone, and often need to keep their costs down, which could all be factors in their increased risk.
Businesses also must take extra consideration when using contractors. Recently, a responsible person who did not ensure safe working practices were being conducted by contractors working at height was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment and suspended for a year.
Using ladders and stepladders
These can be the sensible and practical option when carrying out low-risk, short-duration tasks, but they should not automatically be the first choice. It is imperative that the right type is used for the task at hand and that the person working at height is competent, knowing how to work safely.
If you need help making the right choice when using ladders and working at height, we have various guidance notes, records, and forms available on our H&S Client Portal to assist you.
EN 131 – the European standard for ladders, their design, and manufacture
Ladders should not be CE marked; there are no EU directives or regulations for any type of ladder, so any such claim is false and potentially illegal. There are, however, EN standards (EN 131) which provide a certified methodology to bring harmonised requirements between differing jurisdictions.
It covers the following, which should all be certified to EN 131:
- Leaning ladders – covered by Parts 1, 2 and 3.
- Stepladders – covered by Parts 1, 2 and 3.
- Combination ladders – covered by Parts 1, 2 and 3.
- Multi-hinge joint ladders – covered by Part 4.
- Telescopic ladders – covered by Part 6.
- Mobile ladders with a platform – covered by Part 7.
The Ladder Association’s findings
The Ladder Association has just produced its 2025 Report containing its Telescopic Ladder Surveillance Survey, and the results are staggering. They report that out of 18 telescopic ladders tested, only 22% passed all of the limited scope requirements. That means a shocking 78% failed. The 4 that passed were bought directly from stockists. All the ones bought from an online marketplace failed.
The report is clear, these ladders would be dangerous to use and pose a significant consumer safety risk. A significant number had design features which made the product incompatible with the requirements of the EN 131 – 6 standard. For example:
- Some had a rung pitch of 400mm, not 300mm. This increases the risk of a fall from height due to the increased distance between the rungs, making it harder to climb.
- Some ladders produced had the rung locking mechanism on the face of the rung, allowing the product to be set up with inconsistent rung spacing. Similar to pitch, this increases the risk of a fall as a user could position the rungs incorrectly.
- 14 ladders failed the rung pull-out test due to complete separation of the rung bracket from the rung, shearing of the fixing rivets, or failure of the locking mechanism, resulting in stile jamming.
- 13 ladders failed to have the required top rung clearance.
- Some did not have the required base width for leaning ladders over 3 metres in length, compromising ladder stability and user safety. The worst offender was 610mm short of the requirement.
It is stated within the report that the manufacturers of the 14 ladders that failed made little or no effort to conform to the EN 131- 6 standard. Physical tests followed and highlighted:
- 12 ladders were fraudulently marked or marketed as conforming with EN 131- 6.
- 10 ladders failed the strength test before the test load (150kg) was applied, meaning they could buckle beneath a user.
- 2 ladders only held the test load for approx. 5 seconds before collapsing.
- 1 ladder supported the test load, but the stiles bent after removing the load, preventing closure between the 6th-7th and 7th-8th rungs.
Failures at the unlocked rung strength test are serious. 13 out of the 18 ladders in the study didn’t survive long enough to undertake it due to structural failure in earlier tests. 4 passed of the remaining 5 that did undertake the test.
It is clear that users must ensure that any telescopic ladder purchased meets its legal requirements to prevent the risk of falls, and in turn the risk of injury.