Ladder and Stepladder VR Training for UK Sites (Work at Height Regulations, Schedule 6)
VR ladder scenario on the Work at Height Regulations 2005: when a ladder is justified, pre-use checks, the 1 in 4 angle, three points of contact and short-duration work.
QUICK ANSWER
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 allow ladders only where a risk assessment shows the risk is low and the work is short or the site cannot be changed, and Schedule 6 sets the requirements for their use. A VR scenario asks the learner whether a ladder is justified at all, then checks how they set it up and climb.
What the Rule Requires
Work at Height Regulations 2005, regulation 7 and Schedule 6: a ladder may be used for work at height only if a risk assessment shows that more suitable work equipment is not justified because of the low risk and the short duration of use, or existing features of the site that cannot be altered. Schedule 6 requires ladders to be on a stable, firm and level base, positioned to ensure stability, prevented from slipping and to allow a safe handhold and a secure footing.
The scenario has three jobs: a 10-minute cable tie fix at 3 metres, a 2-hour ceiling job in the same place, and a gutter repair from an extension ladder on a slope. The learner must decide which jobs a ladder suits, then carry out a pre-use check on a ladder with a damaged foot.
Hazards in This Scenario
- Falls from ladders
- Ladders slipping at the base
- Damaged stiles, rungs and feet
- Overreaching
The Procedure the Scenario Rehearses
- Decide if a ladder is justified for the task
- Do a pre-use check of feet, stiles and rungs
- Set an extension ladder at about 1 in 4
- Secure the ladder or have it footed
- Keep three points of contact while climbing
- Do not overreach: keep your belt buckle inside the stiles
Mistakes the Scenario Is Built to Catch
- Using a ladder for a long job
- Missing a damaged foot
- Standing on the top three rungs
- Carrying materials up with both hands
Competence Assessment Matrix
| Decision point | What the assessor sees | Pass standard |
|---|---|---|
| Justification | Ladder chosen for each task | Only for short, low-risk work |
| Pre-use check | Defects found | Damaged foot found |
| Setup | Angle and securing | About 1 in 4, secured |
| Climbing | Contact and reach | Three points, no overreach |
What VR Covers
- Justification decisions on real tasks
- Hidden ladder defects
- Angle and setup feedback
- Records per operative
What VR Does Not Replace
- Hands-on ladder practice
- Ladder inspection and replacement
- Better equipment such as podium steps or towers
Scope of a One-Scenario Pilot
A pilot builds this scenario as a single module, in Unity or Unreal Engine depending on the visual fidelity the task needs and the headsets on site. It runs on standalone headsets, logs every learner decision, and exports a per-person record for your training file. It is measured against your current method with a test cohort before anything is scaled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are ladders banned on UK sites?
No. They are allowed for low-risk, short-duration work when better equipment is not justified.
What is the correct ladder angle?
About 75 degrees, the 1 in 4 rule: one unit out at the base for every four up.
Who checks ladders?
The user should do a pre-use check, and ladders should be in a regular inspection regime.
Want this scenario built around your site?
We review your current procedure and tell you which parts can be rehearsed in VR and which still need hands-on practice.
Map Your Highest-Risk ScenarioFurther reading
- Work at Height VR Training for UK Construction Sites (Work at Height Regulations 2005)
- Scaffold Inspection VR Training: 7-Day Checks and Reports (Work at Height Regulations, Regulation 12)
- MEWP VR Training: Scissor and Boom Lift Operation, Entrapment and Rescue (PUWER and LOLER)
- Lifting Operations VR Training: Lift Plans, Slinging and Signalling (LOLER 1998, Regulation 8)
- Ladder safety training guide
- All VR training scenarios: United Kingdom
- VR pilot readiness checklist
- How VR training programs are priced