Hi all, bit of a long post but want to make sure I've communicated it properly:

Background 

We have operatives attending various SME's such as corner shops, takeaways, high street shops carrying out metering work, sometimes under warrant. We have issues whereby we attend a site and there is a hatch in the floor leading to a basement with no staircase (or a makeshift ladder in place used by the customer). 

Risk I'm trying to mitigate

Falls from height; the access can be a small or wide hatch and as such the only way we can enter is with a telescopic ladder. Unfortunately, there is no method of anchoring the ladder or operative in most cases. 

Confined Spaces: Although the space is restricted, I need to confirm whether it meets the criteria to be classed as confined. Normally there isn't a forseeable risk of asphyxiation, fire etc although this cannot be completed ruled out. 

I've added some photos so you can see the type of access restrictions I'm looking at. 

Advice Required 

I need to review whether the use of a telescopic ladder for such a task is adequate, I'm looking into equipment such as tripods for fall protection, although I'm not sure whether tripods will work in some instances. I also wanted to ask if there is anything else I'm missing? Maybe a control I haven't thought about. I also need to definitively confirm whether such spaces are 'confined spaces' as there are no current controls in place for this. The confusing part is, we go into basements all the time if they have a fixed staircase so where to draw the line. 

https://imgur.com/gallery/zmozlut

https://imgur.com/gallery/HaY0ArO

https://imgur.com/gallery/KMHUPq9