Ladders Training

Ladder Training

First off, not all ladder courses are the same, by that I mean both the content (curriculum) and the delivery of the ladder course can vary enormously.

Any training provider you use should fully meet the needs of your business, so first remind yourself what you want your business to achieve through the training.

What are the skills and understanding that's most important to you, or those you are responsible for?

Some questions you might want to consider are:

Is the training set at the right level for those in my business?

• Will the training lead to a recognised accreditation or certificate
• Does the provider have experience of my sector and businesses of my size?
• Will the training be tailored to my business' needs or be more generally applicable?
• How up-to-date is the provider with the current and future demands of my sector?
• Does the provider offer a learning environment best suited to my people? For example, some people prefer classroom learning, whereas others prefer workshops.
• Is the training at times and places convenient to both my business and my people?
• What facilities does the training provider supply and will I be expected to supplement these?
• How is the training assessed?
• How professional does the training provider appear to be and how happy are they to answer
  all my questions?
• Does the course represent value for money? Remember, this doesn't necessarily mean
  it is the cheapest.

Ladders account for 14 fatalities per year to workers and 60% of those killed or seriously injured had fallen from below head height.

With some 1226 major injuries, falls from ladders and stepladders account for almost a third of all injuries and cost the UK economy around £60 million each year.

Source: HSE Gov.uk/statistics

The HSE says: "Anyone at work who uses or specifies the use of ladders needs adequate information and competency via training so that they understand their limitations, appropriate equipment selection and safe use."

A good ladder safety training course should include a relevant understanding regarding how to be safe when working from ladders as well as ladder classifications, types, good and bad practices, methods for stabilising and securing ladders and inspection, both before use and at adequate intervals.

The course should also include a height safety element covering such as, wearing a full body harness, ladder stabilising and securing equipment selection, suitability and how to use ladder safety equipment.

It is now accepted as best practice to be properly protected whilst working from ladders at height

You should also consider the training companies methods of delivering the curriculum and content. Do they have good visual aids including new media and actual physical equipment handling?

The course should be delivered energetically with real passion and enthusiasm, and encourage group interaction and individual engagement, this will be essential in the effectiveness and enjoyment of the course, more importantly it will ensure the key information is retained and consequently reduce long term skill fade.

Leading Edge has produced a training course which is suitable for all industry sectors and places of work, making certain that best practice together with the latest industry guidance and recommended methods.