The Work at Height Regulations limits the use of ladders to instances where a risk assessment can justify that other means of access is not reasonably practicable; for example, where:

• floor heights exceed where ‘remote attachment devices’ cannot be used
• rope ties are required at the corners of the net to prevent movement during rigging using remote attachment devices
• low level steel work may increase the risk of crushing / contact injury when operating a MEWP below this area

Additionally, to justify the use of a ladder, the task will need to be short duration work (less than 30 minutes at one position). Although ladders may be used continually throughout the day during safety net rigging, it will usually take less than 2 minutes to attach the net at each location therefore it may be considered as a short duration activity.

Careful consideration must be given prior to choosing a ladder as the access method, and it must always be supported by a suitable risk assessment and detailed method statement, specific for the work to be carried out. That risk assessment will need to consider the duration and details of the task to determine if a ladder is suitable equipment.

Further information on the safe use of ladders can be obtained in the HSE guidance note INDG455- Safe use of ladders and step ladders – A brief guide: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg455.pdf