The Health and Safety Authority's (HSA's), two-week, farm-safety inspection campaign continues across the country, making sure that our farmers are safe while working on roofs, using ladders, or doing anything that involves height.

Earlier this week, we highlighted the dangers associated with roof work - according to the HSA’s A Review of Work-Related Fatalities in Agriculture in Ireland 2011-2020, 33% of fall-related fatalities were as a result of fragile roofs.

In the agricultural sector alone – over the last decade – there have been 11 fatalities associated with working at height.

The same document revealed that 14% was as a result of falling from a ladder, so here, we highlight some top tips to work safely while using one, and we look at why you should always carry out a risk assessment.

Very serious injuries can be sustained from unsecured ladders that can slip sideways at the base.

While most ladder injuries result from falls, others are caused by lifting a ladder, slipping or falling when carrying it, or the ladder collapsing or falling.

The HSA advises that ladders should only be used as a means of access, or for work of very short duration.

Ideally, where farmers are undertaking the work themselves, they should use a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) or a tower scaffold to undertake the work safely.

Both ladder stiles should be tied to a structure that can support it.

The HSA advises that securing ladders at the top is best practice.

Securing at the bottom or middle is not very effective to prevent sideways slip, unless it is done with equipment designed for this purpose.

Alternatively, you can use an appropriate ladder-stabilising device according to manufacturer' instructions.

Ladders should only be used where a risk assessment shows the use of other work equipment is not justified.

The work at height regulations do not ban ladders but do require careful consideration to be given to their use.

Before using the ladder, be sure to visually check it. The inspection should pick up obvious defects such as:

Do a risk assessmentA risk assessment is a careful examination of what could cause harm to people as a result of a work activity. It allows you to take the necessary precautions to prevent harm occurring.