Campaign enters next phase of market surveillance

The latest study, part of the Ladder Association’s ongoing ‘Step Up to Safe Ladders’ campaign, uses data gathered from their consumer research study published in 2024, to guide the source of telescopic ladders samples for testing against the current product standard EN 131-6.

The research survey found that 72% of the 1,063 consumers surveyed had bought their telescopic ladder online, and overall, that the ladders were primarily bought from home retail giant B&Q (20% online and 10% in-store), leading online retailer Amazon (20%) and well-known hardware and home improvement retailer Screwfix (13% online and 2% in-store).

While recent campaign activity has centred around the widespread availability of unsafe and potentially dangerous ladders sold across online platforms, this latest phase seeks to also evaluate the compliance of telescopic ladders sold via the most popular dedicated DIY retailers, a true reflection of how these products are being purchased by consumers.

Peter Bennett OBE, Executive Director of the Ladder Association, commented: “Making sure consumers are safe is our number one priority and we are committed to raising awareness of potentially harmful ladders. Working at height can be risky enough, without the additional danger of shoddy ladders – every 11 minutes in the UK, someone attends A&E after sustaining an injury involving a ladder¹. A fall from height can cause life changing injury, and in some cases, can even be fatal.

“From our previous market surveillance activity, we are aware of below-standard ladders being sold to unsuspecting consumers, particularly via online platforms. Our latest phase of market surveillance uses the learnings from our consumer research survey to help guide product selection for testing and provides a representative sample of the market.

“The Ladder Association are committed to undertaking continued market surveillance, not only to help root out dangerous ladders, but to also identify those that are good quality and safe. This will give consumers the knowledge and information they need to buy with confidence, whether that’s online or in-store.”

Testing is currently underway at the UK-based test laboratory and certification body, Test and Research Centre in Soham, Cambridgeshire, with the results expected for release early summer.

The Ladder Association is the voice of the industry and promotes the highest standards and competence, while working with major bodies including the Health & Safety Executive. The Association harnesses its own expertise along with that of its member companies to support technical excellence, safety and best practice in the interests of ladder users everywhere. All Ladder Association members are required to make or supply ladders that meet the current product standard.

To find out more information on the ‘Step Up to Safe Ladders’ campaign and to view all three of their market surveillance reports and the outcomes of their consumer research survey, please follow the link: https://ladderassociation.org.uk/step-up/

Reference
1 APPG on Working at Height Report ‘Staying Alive: Preventing Serious Injury and Fatalities while Working at Height’:
https://workingatheight.info/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Staying-alive.pdf