Ladders, trestles and scaffolding
Relevant people must prevent or minimise risks from using a ladder.
Single or extension ladders may only be used to:
- gain access
- carry out permitted work, section of the
Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 1997 (PDF, 1.4 MB)
where the material or equipment being carried does not restrict movement or cause loss of balance; the trunk of the body remains centred on the ladder; and equipment can be used with one hand (unless a control to prevent a fall is used).
A person using a ladder for access or permitted work must either:
- have three points of substantial contact with the ladder or a stable object, for example, standing on the ladder with two feet while holding a fascia board or timber stud
- prevent falls with a control measure, for example, a pole strap
- use a fall-arrest harness system (not attached to the ladder).
The ladder must have a load rating of not less than 120kg and be:
- secured against movement at or near its top or bottom, for example, by tying or clamping
- manufactured for industrial use
- used only for the designed purpose
- not more than 6.1 metres for a single ladder
- not more than 9.2 metres for an extension ladder used for electrical work or 7.5 metres for other work
- on a firm and stable surface
- erected at an angle between 70° and 80°
- extended at least 1 metre above a surface being accessed.
Relevant people must prevent or minimise risks from working on a platform supported by a trestle ladder.
Platforms used on trestle ladders below 3 metres for housing construction or 2 metres for other construction must be:
- 450 mm wide, or
- 225 mm wide if it is light work. Examples of light work include:
- painting
- installing a roof gutter, air-conditioning duct, metal fascia or lighting
- placing pine roof trusses in position
- performing inspections or tests
- installing an electrical connection.
Fixing plaster board sheeting to an internal stairwell void, fixing cladding to a gable end of a roof or using a medium or heavy duty angle grinder or circular saw are not considered light work.
For work on a trestle ladder at 3 metres or more for housing construction or 2 metres or more for other construction:
- the trestle ladder must have edge protection
- each trestle ladder must be secured to prevent it moving, for example, tying the ladder to a sturdy wall or bracing it to the ground
- the platform must have an unobstructed surface width of 450mm
- not be higher than 5 metres.
A person erecting or dismantling scaffolding 3 metres or more in housing construction or 2 metres or more in other construction must:
- be prevented from falling
- use a fall arrest harness system, or
- immediately install platforms, edge protection and a means of access as each level is erected and retain a full deck of platform until the platforms are transferred.
More information on scaffolding is provided in the
Scaffolding Advisory Standard 2004 (now known as a Code of Practice).
Last updated 22 July 2008
