How do I report an unsafe ladder?

Use the FOLO-UP ladder report form to record the product, seller, listing and suspected defect. Consumers should also use the appropriate official UK product-safety route. A FOLO-UP submission is an evidence signal for human review, not a confirmed finding that the ladder is unsafe.

Report a concern when the equipment itself, its instructions or the way it is advertised creates a credible safety question. A report can cover a ladder you own, one used at work, or a product listing you found online.

When should an unsafe ladder be reported?

Warning signs include a failure during normal use, visible damage on arrival, missing safety information or an online listing that appears to make unsupported safety claims. Relevant concerns may include:

  • a rung, step, side rail, hinge, platform or foot that is cracked, loose or distorted;
  • a lock, spreader, latch or telescopic mechanism that does not engage or releases unexpectedly;
  • a ladder that twists, slips or collapses during ordinary use;
  • missing, unclear or contradictory instructions and warning labels;
  • the delivered product being materially different from the product shown online;
  • a listing that remains available after a safety alert or recall appears to match the item.

Wear caused by misuse and product defects are not the same thing. Record the circumstances factually and avoid guessing the cause. That distinction can be assessed later from the evidence.

Where to report an unsafe ladder in the UK

  1. Record the ladder with FOLO-UPSubmit the product type, brand, model, seller, web address and what appeared unsafe. This creates a specialist listing signal that can be compared with other ladder reports.
  2. Use the official consumer-product routeGovernment guidance directs consumers in England and Wales to Citizens Advice, consumers in Scotland to Advice Direct Scotland, and consumers in Northern Ireland to their local district council.
  3. Tell the retailer or marketplaceUse the platform or seller’s product-safety reporting channel. Save a copy or screenshot of what you submit and any response.
  4. For equipment supplied for work, follow the workplace routeReport it to the employer or responsible person and follow HSE guidance for defective workplace products where applicable.

FOLO-UP does not replace Trading Standards, OPSS, HSE, emergency services, a seller’s complaints process or professional legal and medical advice.

What evidence helps?

Good evidence identifies the exact product and shows the suspected failure without requiring anyone to recreate a dangerous situation.

  • Overall photographs of the ladder
  • Close-ups of the suspected defect
  • Brand, model and batch markings
  • Instructions and warning labels
  • Receipt or order confirmation
  • Seller and marketplace name
  • Full listing URL and screenshots
  • Date, place and account of the incident
Do not put yourself at risk to collect evidence.

Do not climb, reload or deliberately trigger a suspected failure for a photograph or video. Preserve the item only when it is safe to do so.

What happens after a FOLO-UP report?

The report receives a reference and enters a controlled review trail. Follow-up evidence can include photographs, receipts and screenshots. The signal may be compared with published recalls and other reports, and relevant information may be shared with appropriate authorities, marketplaces, manufacturers or specialists where justified and lawful.

A submission does not automatically mean a product is defective, illegal or recalled. Conclusions follow review of the available evidence.

Ready to report the ladder?

The form usually takes about four minutes. Start with what you know; supporting files can be requested securely afterwards.

Report an unsafe ladder

Official UK information

See GOV.UK guidance for reporting consumer-product safety issues and HSE guidance for defective workplace products. These external resources are authoritative reporting routes; links do not imply endorsement of FOLO-UP.