Can I write a method statement for ladder work?

Yes, and clients often ask for one. It should say why a ladder is the right choice for that task, the 30 minute and three points of contact rules, how the ladder is checked and secured, and what is done about the area below and overhead lines.

Working from ladders method statement

Most method statements for ladders are written to satisfy a client who would rather the ladder was not used at all. This one does the honest thing: says when a ladder is the right choice, and what is done when it is not.

Last reviewed 17 September 2026

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Sequence of work · Working from ladders and stepladders

1Decide the equipment at the vanFalls from the ladder
2Check the ladder and the routeLadder failure; contact with overhead power lines
3Cordon the area belowObjects falling on people below
4Set up the ladderFalls from the ladder
and 2 more

Next review17 September 2027

OutputPDF, numbered and dated

Controls

across 4 hazards, ticked into the steps where they apply

The completed method statement

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Edit it for your job

Method statement

Safe system of work: Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, section 2

Document numberMS-007

Revision1

Date17 September 2026

Last reviewed17 September 2026

Next review17 September 2027

Job	Working from ladders and stepladders
Contractor	Fenwick Property Maintenance Ltd
Client or principal contractor	Various, as booked
Location	Customers' premises, indoors and outdoors, as booked
Dates and duration	Each task under 30 minutes at height
Prepared by	Dan Fenwick
Reviewed by	Dan Fenwick
Approved by	—

1. Scope of work

Short maintenance tasks at height at customers' premises from leaning ladders and stepladders: replacing light fittings and lamps, clearing gutters, fixing signs and minor repairs to fascias and windows. Working height up to 6 metres from a leaning ladder and 2.5 metres from a stepladder. Longer or two handed tasks are done from the podium step or the mobile tower.

2. People, plant and materials

Who does the work	Four maintenance operatives, all with ladder and stepladder training (Ladder Association) and one with PASMA for the tower. Two operatives attend every leaning ladder job.
Supervision	Dan Fenwick, by phone
Plant and equipment	EN 131 professional leaning ladders and stepladders, ladder stand off and stability device, podium step, mobile tower, tool belts, buckets and line, cones and barrier tape
Materials	As required for the task, carried up in a tool belt or raised by line
PPE	Safety boots, hi vis outdoors, gloves for gutter work, safety glasses for overhead drilling, hard hat where the customer's site requires it
Permits and access	Customer's permit to work where their site requires one. No roof access under this method statement

3. Hazards and controls

1. Falls from the ladder

Ladder used only for light work under 30 minutes in one position
Set at 75 degrees on firm level ground, tied or footed
Three points of contact, no overreaching, belt buckle inside the stiles

2. Ladder failure

Visual check before every use; damaged ladders tagged and removed
Quarterly recorded inspection

3. Objects falling on people below

Area below cordoned with cones and tape, second operative keeps it clear
Tools in a belt, materials raised and lowered by line

4. Contact with overhead power lines

Route and work area checked for overhead lines before a ladder is raised outdoors
Ladders carried horizontally by two people outdoors

4. Sequence of work

1. Decide the equipment at the van
Look at the task. If it will take more than 30 minutes in one position, needs both hands and force, or is above 6 metres, use the podium step or the tower instead. Record the decision on the job sheet.
HazardsFalls from the ladder
Controls
- Ladder used only for light work under 30 minutes in one position
2. Check the ladder and the route
Check stiles, rungs, feet and any stability device. Walk the route to the work position and look for overhead lines, soft ground, doors that could open into the ladder, and people passing.
HazardsLadder failure; contact with overhead power lines
Controls
- Visual check before every use; damaged ladders tagged and removed
- Route and work area checked for overhead lines before a ladder is raised outdoors
3. Cordon the area below
Set out cones and tape around the base and the drop zone. The second operative stays at the base, keeps people out and foots the ladder if it cannot be tied.
HazardsObjects falling on people below
Controls
- Area below cordoned with cones and tape, second operative keeps it clear
4. Set up the ladder
Set on firm, level ground at 75 degrees, one out for four up, extending at least a metre above the landing point where used for access. Tie at the top, use the stability device, or have the second operative foot it.
HazardsFalls from the ladder
Controls
- Set at 75 degrees on firm level ground, tied or footed
5. Do the work
Climb with three points of contact, tools in the belt. Work facing the ladder with the belt buckle inside the stiles. Come down and move the ladder rather than reach. Raise and lower materials by line.
HazardsFalls from the ladder; objects falling on people below
Controls
- Three points of contact, no overreaching, belt buckle inside the stiles
- Tools in a belt, materials raised and lowered by line
6. Clear up
Lower tools and materials, take the ladder down, remove the cordon and sweep the area. Report any damage to the ladder or any near miss on the job sheet.
HazardsSlips and trips from tools and debris
Controls
- Area cleared and swept before leaving

5. Emergency arrangements

A fall: do not move the casualty, call 999 and stay with them; the second operative directs the ambulance. First aid kit in the van. Contact with a power line: keep everyone clear, do not touch the ladder or the casualty, call 999 and the network operator on 105. Report every accident and near miss to Dan Fenwick on the day.

6. Notes and attachments

Risk assessment RA-007, working from ladders and stepladders, forms part of this method statement.

A method statement is a safe system of work: how the job will be done, in order, with the controls from the risk assessment built into each step. It is a starting point; the contractor must check it against the actual site and the actual job before work starts, and stop and revise it if the work changes.

Why it is written this way

The first step is the decision. If the job will take more than about 30 minutes in one position, or needs both hands and force, it comes off the ladder and onto the podium or the tower. That decision is made at the van, not up the ladder.

Overhead lines and the area below get their own steps because they are where the deaths are. The route is checked for lines before a ladder is raised outdoors, and the area below is cordoned with a second person keeping it clear.

The risk assessment for ladders covers the hazards in full. The method statement is the order of work and the rules for the day.

Controls follow HSE guidance: HSE INDG455, Safe use of ladders and stepladders; HSE, Work at height. Checked 17 September 2026.

This document is a starting point. The employer must check it against the actual workplace, the product safety data sheet and current HSE guidance before relying on it. It is not an HSE approved document.

Common questions

Can I write a method statement for ladder work?: Yes, and clients often ask for one. It should say why a ladder is the right choice for that task, the 30 minute and three points of contact rules, how the ladder is checked and secured, and what is done about the area below and overhead lines.

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