oSIST prEN 131-3:2011

Ladders - Part 3: User Instructions Information

This European Standard advises on the safe use of ladders covered by the scope of EN 131-1 and fulfilling
the requirements of EN 131-1, EN 131 -2 and, for single or multiple hinged-joint ladders, EN 131-4.

Leitern - Teil 3: Benutzerinformation

Diese Europäische Norm enthält Hinweise für den sicheren Gebrauch von Leitern, die in den
Anwendungsbereich der EN 131-1 fallen und die Anforderungen der EN 131-1, der EN 131-2 sowie im Falle
von Ein- oder Mehrgelenkleitern der EN 131-4 erfüllen.

Échelles - Partie 3: Informations contenues dans les instructions destinées à l'utilisateur

La présente Norme européenne donne des recommandations portant sur l’utilisation en toute sécurité des
échelles relevant du domaine d’application de l’EN 131-1 et conformes aux exigences de l’EN 131-1, de
l’EN 131-2 et de l’EN 131-4, pour les échelles articulées simples ou multiples.

Lestve - 3. del: Navodila in informacije za uporabnike

General Information

• Status: Not Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 04-Mar-2010
• ICS: 97.145 - Ladders
• Technical Committee: I13 - Imaginarni 13
• Current Stage: 98 - Abandoned project (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 22-Jul-2015
• Due Date: 27-Jul-2015
• Completion Date: 22-Jul-2015
• Directive: 2001/95/EC - Directive 2001/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 December 2001 on general product safety
• Mandate: M/285 - Standardization mandate to CEN relative to the safety of consumers and children: ladders
• Ref Project: prEN 131-3 rev - Ladders - Part 3: User Instructions Information

Relations

• Revised: SIST EN 131-3:2007 - Ladders - Part 3: User Instructions
• Effective Date: 08-Jun-2022
• Revised: SIST EN 131-3:2007 - Ladders - Part 3: User Instructions
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2010

Overview

The European Standard oSIST prEN 131-3:2011, developed by CEN Technical Committee 93, provides essential safety instructions and user information for the effective and safe use of ladders. It applies specifically to ladders covered under EN 131-1 and meeting the requirements of EN 131-1, EN 131-2, and for hinged-joint ladders, EN 131-4. This standard aims to minimize accidents by guiding producers, distributors, owners, and users in ladder safety, marking, and handling practices.

Key Topics

Safety Instructions and User Information Provision

• Responsibilities:
  • Producers must provide comprehensive safety instructions with each ladder.
  • Distributors ensure these instructions accompany each product during sale.
  • Owners must make user information available to all ladder users.
• All safety information must be presented in the official language of the country where the ladder is marketed.

Common Causes of Ladder Accidents

• Loss of stability due to improper positioning, slipping bases, unsuitable ground, or adverse weather.
• Handling issues such as improper carrying, erecting, and dismantling processes.
• User errors like unsafe climbing techniques or inappropriate footwear.
• Structural failure resulting from damage, wear, or overloading.
• Electrical hazards from proximity to live equipment or incorrect ladder choice.

Marking Requirements for Safe Use

• Ladders must feature clear graphical symbols and markings indicating:
  • Maximum load capacity
  • Correct setup angles (especially for leaning ladders)
  • Safe use areas, such as the highest usable rung or tread
  • Warnings against overreaching or improper entry/exit
• Different ladder types (leaning, standing, combination, hinged-joint) have tailored marking requirements for safe operation.
• Marking must also include producer/distributor identity, production date, ladder weight, insulation warning, and potential shear or pinch points.

User Instructions

• Instructions should cover pre-use checks ensuring ladder fitness and condition.
• Guidelines for safe transport, handling, and positioning.
• Recommendations on inspecting for damage or contamination before use.
• Advice regarding user readiness, including avoiding use under influence of alcohol or medication.
• Periodic inspection requirements for professional users and proper storage and maintenance instructions.

Applications

oSIST prEN 131-3:2011 is critical for:

• Manufacturers developing ladder products, ensuring they meet strict safety communication requirements.
• Distributors and retailers responsible for supplying ladders equipped with appropriate user information.
• Employers and safety managers integrating ladder safety protocols in workplaces.
• End-users and professionals performing ladder-based tasks, from construction workers to maintenance personnel, ensuring ladder setup and use comply with recognized safety standards.
• Enhancing safety in environments such as construction sites, warehouses, and residential maintenance where ladder use is frequent and risk-prone.

Related Standards

This document complements and is associated with the following standards:

• EN 131-1: Requirements, testing, and marking of portable ladders
• EN 131-2: Functional design and stability requirements
• EN 131-4: Specific requirements for single or multiple hinged-joint ladders

These standards collectively form the comprehensive safety framework for ladder design, manufacturing, marking, and use across Europe.

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Keywords: ladder safety, ladder user instructions, oSIST prEN 131-3:2011, EN 131 standards, ladder marking, ladder accident prevention, ladder handling, portable ladders, safety standards for ladders, European ladder regulations.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 131-3:2010
01-februar-2010
Lestve - 3. del: Varnostna navodila in informacije za uporabnike
Ladders - Part 3: Safety instructions and user information
Leitern - Teil 3: Benutzerinformation
Échelles - Partie 3: Instructions de sécurité et informations destinées à l'utilisateur
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 131-3
ICS:
97.145 Lestve Ladders
oSIST prEN 131-3:2010 en,fr
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN 131-3:2010
oSIST prEN 131-3:2010
EUROPEAN STANDARD
DRAFT
prEN 131-3
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
December 2009
ICS 97.145 Will supersede EN 131-3:2007
English Version
Ladders - Part 3: Safety instructions and user information
Échelles - Partie 3: Instructions de sécurité et informations Leitern - Teil 3: Benutzerinformation
destinées à l'utilisateur
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 93.

If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which
stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language
made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are aware and to
provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without notice and
shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2009 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 131-3:2009: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

oSIST prEN 131-3:2010
prEN 131-3:2009 (E)
Contents Page
Foreword .3
1 Scope .4
2 Normative references .4
3 Terms and definitions .4
4 Provision of safety instructions and user information .5
5 Reasons for accidents .5
6 Marking .6
6.1 Leaning ladders .6
6.1.1 Graphical symbols .6
6.1.2 Correct angle indicator .6
6.2 Standing ladders .6
6.3 Combination ladders .7
6.4 Single or multi-hinge joint ladders .8
6.5 Useable rungs or treads .8
6.5.1 Leaning ladders .8
6.5.2 Standing ladders .8
6.5.3 Extending standing ladder and combination ladders .9
6.5.4 Platforms on standing ladders .9
6.6 Other marking information for all ladders .9
7 User information .9
7.1 General .9
7.2 Before use . 10
7.3 Positioning and erecting the ladder. 10
7.4 Using the ladder . 11
7.5 Repair, maintenance and storage . 11
Annex A (informative) Examples of graphical symbols . 12
A.1 General . 12
A.2 Example graphical symbols . 12
Annex B Example of information on safe use of leaning ladder . 24
Annex C Example of information on safe use of standing ladder . 25
Bibliography . 26

oSIST prEN 131-3:2010
prEN 131-3:2009 (E)
Foreword
This document (prEN 131-3:2009) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 93 “Ladders”, the
secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 131-3:2007.
oSIST prEN 131-3:2010
prEN 131-3:2009 (E)
1 Scope
This European Standard gives safety instructions and user information for the safe use of ladders covered by
the scope of EN 131-1 and fulfilling the requirements of EN 131-1, EN 131-2 and, for single or multiple hinged-
joint ladders, EN 131-4 used as standing or leaning ladders.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
Not applicable
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
producer
(a) manufacturer of a product and any other person presenting himself as the manufacturer by affixing to the
product his name, trade mark or other distinctive mark, or the person who reconditions the product
(b) other professionals in the supply chain, insofar as their activities may affect the safety properties of a
product
3.2
distributor
professional in the supply chain whose activity does not affect the safety properties of a product
3.3
owner
person or company buying or receiving the ladder
NOTE The owner can use the ladder himself, or he can make the ladder available for other users
3.4
user
person using the ladder
3.5
harm
physical injury or damage to health of people or damage to property or the environment
3.6
hazard
potential source of harm
3.7
risk
probable rate of occurrence of a hazard causing harm and the degree of severity of the harm
oSIST prEN 131-3:2010
prEN 131-3:2009 (E)
4 Provision of safety instructions and user information
The producer shall be responsible for the content of the safety instructions and user information and the
provision of the instructions with each ladder.
The distributor should ensure that the safety instructions and user information are provided with each ladder.
The ladder owner should ensure that safety instructions and user information are available to the user.
The safety instructions and user information shall be in the language of the country where the ladder is sold.
5 Reasons for accidents
The following list of hazards and examples of their causes, which is not exhaustive, are common reasons for
accidents encountered when using ladders and are the basis on which the information in this standard has
been developed:
a) Loss of stability:
1) incorrect positioning of the ladder (such as incorrect angle for leaning ladder or not fully opening a
standing ladder);
2) slide outwards at the bottom (such as bottom of the ladders sliding away from the wall);
3) side slip, falling sideways and top flip (such as overreaching or fragile top contact surface);
4) condition of the ladder (such as missing anti-slip feet);
5) stepping off an unsecured ladder at height;
6) ground conditions (such as unstable soft ground, sloping ground, slippery surfaces or contaminated
solid surfaces);
7) adverse weather conditions (such as windy conditions);
8) collision with the ladder (such as vehicle or door);
9) incorrect choice of ladder (such as too short, unsuitable task).
b) From handling:
1) transferring the ladder to the work position;
2) erecting and dismantling the ladder;
3) carrying items up the ladder.
c) Slip trip and fall of user:
1) inappropriate footwear;
2) contaminated rungs or steps;
3) unsafe user practices (such as climbing 2 rungs at time, sliding down stiles).
d) Structural failure of ladder:
1) condition of the ladder (such as damaged stiles, wear, UV degradation of plastic parts);
2) overloading the ladder.
e) Electrical hazards:
1) unavoidable live working (e. g. fault finding);
2) positioning ladders too close to live electrical equipment (such as overhead power lines);
3) ladders damaging electrical equipment (such as covers or protective insulation);
4) incorrect selection of type of ladder for electrical work.
oSIST prEN 131-3:2010
prEN 131-3:2009 (E)
6 Marking
6.1 Leaning ladders
6.1.1 Graphical symbols
The safety instructions that shall be included, as an easily viewed graphical symbol, marked on all ladders that
are designed to be used as leaning ladders is:
a) read the instructions (example Figure A.1);
b) maximum load (example Figure A.2);
c) correct angle of erection (example Figure A.3);
d) erect on a level base (example Figure A.4);
e) do not over-reach (example Figure A.5);
f) ensure ground is free from contaminants (example Figure A.6);
g) erect on a firm base (example Figure A.7);
h) ladder extension above landing point (example Figure A.8);
i) do not step off the side of a ladder (example Figure A.9);
j) use the ladder the correct way up [only if necessary due to design of ladder] (example Figure A.22).
6.1.2 Correct angle indicator
Each ladder designed to be used as a leaning ladder shall have indication or instructions affixed to the ladder
to show when it is erected at the correct angle according to the manufacturer's instructions.
6.2 Standing ladders
The safety instructions that shall be included, as an easily viewed graphical symbol, marked on all ladders that
are designed to be used as standing ladders is:
a) read the instructions (example Figure A.1);
b) maximum load (example Figure A.2);
c) erect on a level base (example Figure A.4);
d) fully opened before use (example Figure A.17);
e) do not overreach (example Figure A.5);
f) erect on a firm base (example Figure A.7);
g) do not step off the side of a ladder (example Figure A.9);
h) ensure restraint devices are engaged [if fitted] (example Figure A.21).
oSIST prEN 131-3:2010
prEN 131-3:2009 (E)
6.3 Combination ladders
Where a combination ladder is designed to be used as a leaning ladder, the safety instructions included, as an
easily v
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