Posted By Ian Mycroft
I've been asked the following questions regarding the above and would like to check my understanding.

1. Do stepladders need to be footed?
2. Is there a maximum height that stepladders can be used?

Regards,
Ian

Posted By Ken Taylor
The Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regs will apply to the use of step ladders. They will need to be secure so as to prevent slipping, and tied (with 1m extended handhold) if used as a means of access to a temporary workplace. I take it that tying (or, perhaps, footing) might be used to achieve the required security and stability. If the top step is to be used as a working platform it will need to have been designed as such with a hand-hold. I also take it that, whilst the max 9m height may be applied to use as a ladder for access, this is unlikely to be achievable with security and stability without designed tying and if used as a top-step working platform, a max 2m fall height will apply without edge protection (unless other hazards require this at a lower level).