Henchman’s Tripod Ladder Safety Guide & Ladder Inspection Checklist

At Henchman, we prioritise ladder safety and being safe when working at height. Our Tripod Ladders are made for uneven ground so are the perfect ladder for use in the garden. Henchman Tripod Ladders are EN131 certified and carry the BSI kitemark.  

What is EN131 and what is the BSI Kitemark?  

The British Standards Institution is the national standards body in the UK. The EN131 is a European committee for standardisation harmonised standard for portable steps and ladders, manufactured from metal and certain other materials such as aluminium. It covers minimum safety requirements and regulations for ladders.  The BSI Kitemark certifies that our ladders meet the EN131 standards.

In short, it means our tripod ladders have been put through rigorous testing, a number of safety checks and have been built to a top-quality standard, making them the only certified tripod ladder on the market in the UK and EU.   

We chose to Kitemark our ladders as the Kitemark certification goes above and beyond product testing. It looks at all aspects of the supply chain too, so you can rest assured that the ladders you receive are properly designed for the job you’re performing. 

Why is ladder certification important? 

Working at Height Regulations 2005 dictates that you’re legally responsible for protecting the safety of your staff and the public. As a professional or a business, you need to be confident in the equipment you are using and providing to ensure the ladder is suitable for the work to be performed, as well as reliable in design, strength and build quality. Our Henchman Fully Adjustable PRO Tripod Ladder has been made in mind for the pros who will use the ladder daily.  

For personal use, you can be confident that when you’re correctly using a Henchman Tripod Ladder, you’ll feel safe and level on uneven ground when working in the garden or around the home. 

Correct set up for safe use of a tripod ladder  

First and foremost, when you set up your tripod ladder, you need to make sure it is level by adjusting the legs accordingly. You can gauge this by seeing if the chain is level from the side.  

Never pull a ladder back towards you, this goes for tripod ladders as well. Lean into the ladder while you climb it.  

Always keep your weight over the back leg of the tripod ladder when you are working, so you don’t overreach.  

If you are on hard ground, put the rubber feet on the legs to prevent damage to the clawed feet and give you extra grip. 

Ladder inspection and regular maintenance  

It is essential to perform regular ladder inspections. If your ladder has been out of action for a little while, such as over winter, we recommend going through the safety checks listed below before use. If you use your ladder regularly, these checks should be carried out more frequently.

Ladder Inspection Checklist

Henchman has tripod ladder spares

If you find something is missing or broken while inspecting your ladder, we have a range of spare parts, including spring pins, rubber feet and legs.

To work safely at height on uneven ground, choose an EN131‑certified tripod ladder built for stability. Explore our full range of adjustable tripod ladders to find the right fit, from 5ft - 16ft. Give our friendly team a call on 03333 444 229 or use our Find a Ladder tool to see what ladder you need for the job.