Summary

RPSA Council member Stephen McCarron is recovering from a broken leg and a broken ankle after his telescopic ladder collapsed beneath him. Stephen was alone in an empty property when the incident occurred. Thankfully, his phone was within reach and he was able to call for help.

Stephen’s account is that the locking pins released together, causing the ladder to concertina without warning. The incident raises a serious question for every surveyor who relies on a telescopic ladder. In the Ladder Association’s latest market-surveillance study, 14 of the 18 ladders tested failed safety-critical tests. The sample was small, but the results reinforce why no ladder should be trusted without regular inspection and a thorough check before every use.

The RPSA has issued new guidance and is urging members to check their ladders before their next inspection. It is also a timely reminder for anyone working alone to keep their phone on them and ensure somebody knows where they are. If you have ever experienced a ladder collapsing, slipping, buckling or unlocking unexpectedly, we want to hear from you.

Further detail