Are Your Ladders Putting You at Risk? What the Latest Report Reveals

A new report from the Ladder Association has revealed an alarming truth, many telescopic ladders available online are unsafe. 

Their “Stepping It Up” study tested 18 telescopic ladders bought from online marketplaces and major UK retailers. The results should make every business stop and think about the safety of the equipment they rely on.

78% of the ladders tested failed essential safety checks. Even more concerning, every single ladder purchased from third-party sellers on online platforms such as Amazon and eBay was deemed unsafe. Many falsely claimed to meet the EN 131 safety standard, and some even carried fake CE or UKCA markings.

Important: Ladders should not carry CE or UKCA markings. If they do, this indicates that they do not meet EN 131 standards and should not be used.

In contrast, ladders purchased directly from physical stores such as B&Q and Screwfix all passed the required tests – proof that buying from trusted, regulated retailers can make a huge difference.

The Hidden Dangers Behind Online Bargains

The report highlights a growing issue: unsafe products being sold online with little to no accountability. Many third-party sellers are based overseas, meaning UK product safety laws don’t bind them. These ladders can arrive in the UK already boxed, labelled, and ready to ship directly to consumers, with no safety inspections or importer checks required.

The first person to see the ladder after it leaves the factory is often the buyer themselves. For businesses or tradespeople using these ladders at work, that’s a serious risk. A collapse at height could easily lead to a life-changing injury or worse.

The Ladder Association’s research also found that 68% of consumers prioritised price when purchasing a ladder, and almost half carried out no safety checks at all. It’s clear that trust and convenience often override caution—and unsafe equipment is slipping through the cracks.

A Real-World Example of What’s at Stake

One of the report’s most powerful stories comes from electrician Joffrey Bogemans, who suffered multiple injuries after a telescopic ladder he bought on Amazon suddenly snapped and collapsed. The product was claimed to meet safety standards, but later testing revealed the claim was false.

Joffrey’s experience is not unique. Thousands of workers could unknowingly be using unsafe ladders every day. And when something goes wrong, online sellers and marketplaces rarely accept responsibility – leaving injured users to deal with the financial and physical consequences alone.

What Businesses Need to Do Now

This issue isn’t just about consumers buying for home use. Many businesses purchase ladders online to save time and money. But as this report shows, that decision could put your team and your business at risk.

To protect employees and meet your legal duties under the Work at Height Regulations, you must ensure any ladder used in the workplace is compliant with EN 131 standards. That includes verifying where it was bought, who the supplier is, and whether it has been independently tested.

How Stallard Kane Can Help

At Stallard Kane, our experts can help you take practical steps to safeguard your people, equipment and compliance. We can:

• Assist with working at height risk assessments and equipment inspections
• Provide procurement advice to ensure you purchase only compliant, high-quality ladders.
• Deliver Working At Height training so employees know how to use ladders safely.
• Review and update your policies and procedures to ensure full compliance.

By taking action now, you’ll not only protect your workforce but also reduce the risk of costly accidents, investigations, and downtime.

Unsafe ladders are more common than you might think – but with the proper knowledge and support, they’re easy to avoid. 

To learn more about workplace ladder safety or to book an assessment, contact our team healthandsafety@skaltd.co.uk | 01427 420 402

And for regular safety insights and compliance updates, sign up for our newsletter at www.stallardkane.co.uk/newsletter.