Rank: Forum user 
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Hi all, I have a question about leaning ladders no higher than 12ft, we have lone working operatives who at times may need to use a leaning ladder for short duration work, after reviewing HSE guiidance, it says the ladder should be secured to the wall and fall protection measures employed where a handhold cannot be kept on the ladder. The type of work is usually electrical, short duration and would require both hands for around 80% of the time. Am I right in saying we would need to drill into the wall and secure the ladder or can a footing device be used, also what type of 'fall mitigation' should be provided? Would we have to go all out with a fall kit based on this height?I have attached a picture for reference, the technicians would need to access the fuse board,
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Rank: Super forum user
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Hi hardworkingdude Lots of people have opened your post but none have replied and unfortunately the photo doesn't show. I guess the lack of response is an indicator that perhaps you need to give more detail of the type of work. If working in commercial premises I would like to hope that the fuse boxes are NOT 12 feet (3.6m) above whatever ground/floor level - someone did send me a picture of a fuse box in residential premises above a staircase in a wholly unsatisfactory location! I think you have possibly overthought the HSE guidance on use of ladders. Depending on the location you might be able to "secure" the ladder near the top with a spreader bar to help prevent the ladder slipping. You might be able to get a third point of connection between person and ladder by connecting them via harness to the ladder but this brings in questions as to whether the ladder is designed for such a use. May be it's a job that indicates a need for an inherently safer means of access or two people. Too many possible variables to give a firm comment. So perhaps more indication of the types of job involved, how much space around the plant to be worked on and so on. P
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I would not endorse a lone worker going up a 12ft ladder that is not rigidly and securely attached to a structure. Our procedures require that any leaning ladder not secured (eg permanent built in) must be footed by a second operative.
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