The UK has three categories of ladder & stepladder strength -

• Industrial Duty (Class 1) ladders are designed for a Maximum Static Vertical Load 175kg (27.5 stones);  Duty Rating* 130kg. The Max Static Vertical Load will sometimes be referred to as "safe working load".
• Trade Duty (now EN131; previously Class 2) ladders are designed for a Maximum Static Vertical Load 150kg ( 23.5 stones).
• Domestic Duty (Class 3) ladders are designed for a Maximum Static Vertical Load 125kg (19.5 stones); Duty Rating* 95kg.

* Duty Rating  -  confusion often arises from the use of the term Duty Rating on some ladders. These figures were arrived at years ago by British Standards Institute from a consideration of the frequency and general conditions of use. They are not an accurate guide to the Safe Working Load. The "Maximum Static Vertical Load" is a more useful measure and gives a more accurate guide to relative strengths.

NOTE:
Any standard or kitemark is only a MINIMUM standard. In the UK there are many approved and kitemarked ladders and steps which just about scrape through the tests. There are many others which are built to a considerably stronger specification than the tests require. Our Trade Duty alloy ladders (code: ELT...) are a good example. They are amongst the strongest BS EN131 approved ladders in the UK and many sizes would pass the Class 1 tests. There are some other makes of Trade Duty ladders which are still approved to BS EN131 but are considerable lighter duty and are built to JUST pass the tests.

In addition, note that there are several types of ladders and steps which are not covered by any standard - Roof Ladders and Alloy Warehouse Steps for example. These are normally (but not always) made of Trade or Industrial duty materials, but cannot be kitemarked because no kitemark applies to them.

Our old Class 2 is now replaced by the European-wide EN131standard. In the UK it is known as BS EN131. Ladders and steps manufactured on the continent which are approved to EN131 will often show the French and/or German "kitemark"
It is important to note that because there is no Class 1 and Class 3 on the continent, almost all continental ladders and steps are made to EN131. Manufacturers often subdivide this standard into several unofficial strength categories from light duty to heavy duty and produce ranges of ladders and steps of the same general design in each category. All, however, will be "EN131" standard.
Consequently some EN131 products will be just as strong as our Class 1 products and some will be much lighter duty.

Old Class 2 is now withdrawn. Very few British makes of timber ladders and steps are approved to BS EN131. The dwindling sales of these timber products means that gaining a kitemark is too costly. Many ladders and steps are still "made to" the old standard but are no longer tested, approved and kitemarked.

The requirements of BS7553 Class G are not too demanding and most light Domestic Duty loft ladders will meet this standard.

The British Standard for scaffold towers is BS EN1004. This standard replaces the old BS1139: Part 3: 1994 ( also known as HD1004 ). The rest of Europe uses he same standard and they call it EN1004. This standard applies to TRADE & INDUSTRIAL duty towers. Lightweight Domestic Duty steel scaffold towers will not be made to this standard despite what a few less scrupulous suppliers may claim!

Of course, BS EN1004 is a "standard", not a legal requirement and customers are not obliged by law to use towers which are approved, although it is the policy of many companies to do so at all times.

However, "The Work at Height Regulations 2005" (WAHR) are a legal requirement on employers and anyone using equipment in the workplace, and most of the requirements of these regulations are the same as BS EN1004.

Both BS EN1004 and the Work at Height Regs require towers to have -

• some form of ladder access to the platform ( either vertical ladders or inclined )
• a trapdoor platform for safe access from the ladder
• toeboards fitted around all working platforms
• stabilisers or outriggers fitted where necessary to guard against overturning.

One of the differences though, is that the Health & Safety Executive in the UK have used the WAHR to require all users to add extra equipment to BS EN1004 specification alloy towers so that no-one has to stand on a platform without guardrails around them, especially when erecting and dismantling. This requirement is preferred by the HSE, is considered to be "Best Practice" by all in the industry and is known as the "Through-The-Trap" (or 3T for short ) assembly method and specification.
Consequently an EN1004 specification tower will not automatically include sufficient trapdoor platforms and guardrails (horizontal braces) to satisfy the HSE. Customers should check this before ordering.

Another difference is that BS EN1004 applies only to towers with a platform height from 2.5m to 12.0m (indoor use), and from 2.5m to 8.0m (outdoor use).
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to all towers and all other locations from where someone could fall and injure themselves.