Hi, Do the ladders in question have hoops around them? If so you shouldn't require any fall arrest system within the ladder. Unless they are really tall and don't have landing stages at 9m intervals. What type of ladders are we talking about specifically? The 2m rule went out with the WAHR2005 and with ladders its not really such a problem because with fall arrest systems you are connected from the moment you start climbing and are on a very short lanyard and shock. I install ladders and assorted fall arrest systems. Hope this helps a little. Any other questions just ask. Andrew

This article may help you. http://www.healthandsafe...s-safe-use-fixed-ladders

Hi Brian, I work for an American company - Chicago Bridge and Iron (CBI) who are a pretty large international oil and gas EPC contractor. We decided to apply 100% tie off for all aspects of ladder use (ascending, descending or short duration working) about six months ago following some fairly serious incidents in the USA. When we risk assessed the use of ladders based on normal operations for transition with sometimes no real effective mechanical aid to help with the transfer of tools and/or equipment it really became obvious to us that there was an unacceptable level of risk. Our procedure applies to all ladders greater than 6 ft (1.8 M). The general practice is the use of Self Retracting Lifelines (SRL's) fixed to an engineered stantion close to and above the top of the ladder. We also use Miller harnesses which comes with a load bearing chest ring for ease of attachment. By adopting this procedure is also encouraged our project teams to review their scaffold and access plans which resulted in greater use of proprietary scaffold stairways If you would like any further info, give me a shout.