Accessing and leaving the lift pit is a routine part of almost every installation, maintenance, and repair job. It’s also one of the moments where the risk of a fall or injury is highest if the wrong equipment is used, or the right equipment is used incorrectly. Pit access ladders are designed to make this movement safe, but only when they meet the correct specification and are positioned correctly within a lift pit.
One effective way to maintain safe practices and awareness around pit access is by taking a Ladder Safety Toolbox Talk.
Different Types of Pit Access Ladders
There are six recognised types of ladders that can be used for access and egress to the lift pit, ranging from fixed ladders that remain upright in a single position, to retractable and movable designs that shift between a storage and a use position, through to foldable ladders that hook onto the landing door sill when needed. Each type suits a different pit layout and way of working, so choosing the right one comes down to the space available and how the ladder needs to be stored when not in use.
Key Safety Requirements
Whichever type of ladder is fitted, it must meet a set of general provisions to be considered safe for use:
- Made of aluminium or anti-corrosion protected steel – wooden ladders are not permitted.
- Uprights must extend at least 1.10 m above the landing sill in the use position.
- Uprights must be sized for an easy, safe grip.
- Rungs must be evenly spaced, correctly sized, and finished with a non-slip surface.
Additional Requirements
Some ladder types carry a few extra requirements, since they rely on manual handling to move between storage and use. For movable and foldable ladders, the following applies:
- They must weigh no more than 15 kg.
- They must be secured in the use position, either to the landing sill, the bottom of the pit, or the well wall, to stop them slipping.
- The bottom of the uprights must have devices fitted to stop the ladder tipping over.
- Retractable and foldable ladders must be designed so that hands and feet can’t be sheared or crushed when the ladder is moved back into its stored position.
Ladder Positioning in the Pit
Where the ladder sits within the pit matters just as much as its design. In the position of use, there are set clearances to be maintained behind and in front of the ladder, so that engineers have enough room to grip the rungs safely and reach the ladder easily from the landing entrance. The first rung should also sit as close as possible to the same level as the landing sill. If the ladder impedes the lift’s working area when in the position of use, it must be electrically interlocked.
How a Ladder Safety Toolbox Talk Can Help
A ladder safety Toolbox Talk is an effective way to reinforce safe working practices around pit access and reduce the risk of falls or injury. It gives engineers the chance to refresh their knowledge of the different ladder types, understand the specification each one must meet, and recognise when a ladder isn’t fit for use.
This short safety briefing is an efficient way to promote awareness, helping individuals remain vigilant and better equipped to access and leave the pit safely, while ensuring compliance with EN81-20 and company procedures.
Need a refresher on safe pit access? View our Pit Access Ladders Toolbox Talk to keep safe on site and avoid injury. At the end of the Toolbox Talk, you will also receive a personalised certificate to download.
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