Review the critical hazards, potential consequences, persons at risk and recommended control measures for Ladder Work in one professional HSE workspace.
Review the key hazards, consequences and control measures for Ladder Work in a structured professional HSE format.
Fracture, serious injury or fatality
Ladder users
Correct ladder selection, three-point contact, stable ground and safe positioning
Use a suitable platform for prolonged work or tasks requiring both hands
Fall and injury
Ladder user and nearby personnel
Non-slip feet, correct angle and top/bottom securing where required
Control areas exposed to doors, vehicles or pedestrian traffic
Structural failure and fall
Ladder user
Pre-use inspection and verification of load rating
Immediately remove damaged or unidentified ladders from service
Loss of balance and fall
Ladder user
Three-point contact and correct ladder positioning
Reposition the ladder and prevent excessive sideways reach
Loss of stability and fall
Ladder user
Manufacturer instructions
Prevent standing on manufacturer-prohibited top steps
Structural failure or fall
Ladder users
Task-appropriate ladder selection
Do not use ladders as platforms, bridges or horizontal work surfaces
Ladder slip and fall
Ladder user
Firm and level surface check
Position ladder feet on a stable non-slip surface
Impact with ladder causing worker to fall
Ladder user and nearby personnel
Area barricading and access control
Lock or barricade doors and access routes where the ladder is positioned
Loss of balance and fall
Ladder user
Tool pouch and three-point contact rule
Use a tool bag or suitable lifting method instead of carrying tools by hand
Explore related activities, hazards and control measures from the same HSE risk category.
Use these ready hazards as your starting point, customize controls, evaluate risk levels and prepare your project-specific assessment in SERNEM.
Start Risk Assessment| ACTIVITY | Ladder Work | CATEGORY | Work at Height |
| # | Activity | Hazard | Consequence | Persons at Risk | Existing Risk Control | L | S | Risk | Action Required / Additional Controls | Person in Charge | Due Date | RL | RS | Residual Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Ladder Work | Fall from ladder | Fracture, serious injury or fatality | Ladder users | Correct ladder selection, three-point contact, stable ground and safe positioning | 2 | 5 | 10 High | Use a suitable platform for prolonged work or tasks requiring both hands | - | - | 2 | 2 | 4 Low |
| 02 | Ladder Work | Ladder slipping or overturning | Fall and injury | Ladder user and nearby personnel | Non-slip feet, correct angle and top/bottom securing where required | 3 | 3 | 9 Medium | Control areas exposed to doors, vehicles or pedestrian traffic | - | - | 1 | 2 | 2 Low |
| 03 | Ladder Work | Damaged or unsuitable ladder | Structural failure and fall | Ladder user | Pre-use inspection and verification of load rating | 2 | 3 | 6 Medium | Immediately remove damaged or unidentified ladders from service | - | - | 1 | 2 | 2 Low |
| 04 | Ladder Work | Overreaching from ladder | Loss of balance and fall | Ladder user | Three-point contact and correct ladder positioning | 2 | 3 | 6 Medium | Reposition the ladder and prevent excessive sideways reach | - | - | 1 | 2 | 2 Low |
| 05 | Ladder Work | Working from prohibited top ladder steps | Loss of stability and fall | Ladder user | Manufacturer instructions | 2 | 3 | 6 Medium | Prevent standing on manufacturer-prohibited top steps | - | - | 1 | 2 | 2 Low |
| 06 | Ladder Work | Using ladder for an unintended purpose | Structural failure or fall | Ladder users | Task-appropriate ladder selection | 2 | 3 | 6 Medium | Do not use ladders as platforms, bridges or horizontal work surfaces | - | - | 1 | 2 | 2 Low |
| 07 | Ladder Work | Ladder positioned on slippery surface | Ladder slip and fall | Ladder user | Firm and level surface check | 2 | 3 | 6 Medium | Position ladder feet on a stable non-slip surface | - | - | 1 | 2 | 2 Low |
| 08 | Ladder Work | Ladder positioned in doorway or traffic route | Impact with ladder causing worker to fall | Ladder user and nearby personnel | Area barricading and access control | 2 | 3 | 6 Medium | Lock or barricade doors and access routes where the ladder is positioned | - | - | 1 | 2 | 2 Low |
| 09 | Ladder Work | Loss of three-point contact while carrying tools | Loss of balance and fall | Ladder user | Tool pouch and three-point contact rule | 2 | 3 | 6 Medium | Use a tool bag or suitable lifting method instead of carrying tools by hand | - | - | 1 | 2 | 2 Low |