You won't see such explicit detail in the law but see here: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cis10.pdf LB

Hi Rob Jones; doesn't that paragraph only give guidance against 'movable objects such as . . . tower scaffolds' though, which I quite agree with. Obviously I dont know the specifics of the OP's scaffold, i.e. dimensions, constructions etc but if it were, for example, a large, solid scaffold and someone wanted to use a stepladder in the middle of it, I personally wouldn't have a problem. I've known in the past when we've scaffolded out entire floors of manufacturing facilities (perhaps 50m by 50m), I certainly wouldn't think there was an issue of using a stepladder on that - indeed, I'd allow someone to do pretty much anything they'd do at ground level. A well built scaffold should not pose any more risk than working on the floor in my opinion. (not commenting on how he might be intending to get the step ladder up there). thanks Steve

Having read it again, maintenance department, repairing guttering . . . guess it probably is a tower scaffold and if thats the case then i'd say no, you shouldn't use a stepladder. Going outside this specific case though, I'd be interested to hear opinions on the more general subject of using other bits of equipment on scaffolds of various types.

Hello Ladders can be used if after assessing the risks the use of more suitable work equipment is not justified because of the low risk and short duration. Short duration is taken to be between 15 and 30 minutes depending upon the task. Ladders can also be used for low risk work where there arefeatures on the site that mean a ladder must be used. Plus remember the height of your Guardrails >950mm

Rather reminds me of the electrician working close to the edge of the fifth floor handrails with an 80ft drop adjacent to the atrium floor. He seemed to not understand he was above the protection of the handrails. Ahh well that is construction for you. You could of course extend the scaffold height to allow guard rails but then you would not need a stepladder - shucks that will annoy them. Just rest back on the good old work at height regs:-) Bob

My view initially was, why not? but following the description of your scaffold set up I would say that as others have pointed out WAHR states: Avoidance of risks from work at height 6.—(1) In identifying the measures required by this regulation, every employer shall take account of a risk assessment under regulation 3 of the Management Regulations. (2) Every employer shall ensure that work is not carried out at height where it is reasonably practicable to carry out the work safely otherwise than at height. (3) Where work is carried out at height, every employer shall take suitable and sufficient measures to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, any person falling a distance liable to cause personal injury. Clearly this is a breach of these regs without doubt. I have used design scaffolds on major project which are a lot larger in size which have clear demarcation of where step ladders can be used in order to make it clear to users that beyond the demarcation the hand rails are not sufficient to prevent a fall. The ground area of the scaffold had to be covered specifically to make the floor area level and fit for purpose. Have they thought about the gaps between scaffold boards that may be there or may occur from use? If you have overall responsibility then stamp authority. If you are merely in an advisory role, you may have to pass the information up the supply chain and I am sure that by the time it gets to director level the work would not take place in such a way.