11.09.2005

Ladder association on the move

The British Ladder Manufacturers’ Association (BLMA) was formed in 1947 by the major manufacturers of the day. Nearly 60 years on, the BLMA is welcoming members from every sector of the access industry.

Following the introduction of the Work at Height Regulations earlier this year, the BLMA is keen to stress is that ladders are still legal, they can continue to be used for the many and varied tasks for which they are designed.

In response to the new rules it has introduced a number of initiatives, including publications and training programmes, designed to foster compliance and safe working practice. and promoting its nationally accredited training schemes for users, supervisors and managers through its network of approved training centres.


The scheme provides employers and users with the necessary skills and training to make the use of ladders safer and more efficient. It has been developed and written with guidance from the UK’s leading experts on safety and ladder manufacture.

The Association has also recently published a 40-page Leaning Ladder & Stepladder Users’ Guide. Divided in to 3 main sections, it covers employer and user responsibilities, the new Work at Height Regulations and the safe use of ladders and steps. There is also a section devoted to the importance of planning ahead.
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The new guide to safe use of ladders

The guide costs j£5.00 and is also intended to supplement the BLMA training course by serving as a worthwhile reminder of the good practices that delegates have learned during training and work experience.

“The BLMA has come of age,” says president, David Walker. “No longer the exclusive domain of manufacturers, the Association is a vibrant, forward-looking organisation determined to look after the best interests of its increasingly diverse membership base and, of course, the industry at large.”

“The access industry, including users and consumers, will be hearing a lot more from the BLMA in future.”