When should I choose a ladder over a staircase?

Ladders should only be the choice when space is severely restricted or when access is needed only occasionally (e.g., for monthly meter readings or filter changes). For frequent daily use or manual handling tasks, a full set of Internal Stairs or External Stairs is the safer and recommended option.

L What are the legal requirements for safety cages?

To comply with BS EN ISO 14122-4 and BS4211, fixed ladders exceeding 2.5m must be fitted with a safety cage or a fall protection system. Our in-house design team ensures that all safety hoops are positioned at the correct intervals to provide continuous protection. Landings must be provided at least every 6 meters in height.

How do you prevent unauthorised access?

We can incorporate lockable security gates, ladder guards or caging at the base of the system to prevent unauthorised personnel from climbing to restricted rooftop or machinery areas.

Cat Ladders

Bespoke industrial caged access ladders providing permanent vertical entry for restricted spaces, maintenance points, and rooftops.

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What are Cat Ladders?

Cat ladders, also known as caged ladders, are fixed vertical access systems designed to provide safe and secure access to elevated areas such as rooftops, platforms, and tall structures. Commonly used in commercial and industrial environments, cat ladders feature an integrated safety cage that helps protect users while climbing, reducing the risk of falls. These ladders are essential for ensuring safe access in areas where space is limited and compliance with working-at-height regulations is required.

At Tadweld, we advocate that ladders should primarily be used for occasional maintenance access or where architectural constraints prevent the installation of stairs.

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Projects delivered in 2025

The shortest safest route to a high-level

At Tadweld we generally engineer bespoke ladder systems in galvanised mild steel for rugged external sites and stainless steel for hygienic production zones.

Every ladder is designed to provide the shortest, safest route to high-level plant equipment, silos, and rooftops while strictly adhering to the Work at Height Regulations 2005. Incorporating features such as anti-slip rungs, protective safety cages and interval landings, Cat Ladders provide an affordable and safe access solution for occasional use.

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Key Benefits

Every Tadweld product adheres to exacting standards, below are some this products key features

SPACE-EFFICIENT ACCESS

Caged Cat Ladders provide essential high-level access with a minimal footprint, making them ideal for reaching mezzanines, roofs or tanks in congested factory layouts.

INTEGRATED FALL PROTECTION

For any ascent over 2.5 metres, our ladders feature safety cages or fall-arrest systems to provide additional safety to the operator.

TECHNICAL SITE ADAPTATION

Using 3D site scanning, we ensure the ladder is perfectly vertical and secure, even when mounting to uneven or complex surfaces.

Why Tadweld

Shaped by Experience.
Focused on the Future.

Tadweld combines decades of fabrication expertise with modern engineering standards, delivering reliable structural steel and bespoke metalwork across the UK and Europe, with safety and precision assured.

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Case Studies

We are passionate about being a great place to work, where people can be at their best. As a result, our team really care about the quality of work they produce and we quickly become trusted partners to our clients.

Chris Houston - Managing Director

FAQs

There is no minimum height required to be considered "working at height". According to the HSE regulations, it is defined as working in any place where, if precautions were not taken, a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury, including working above or below ground level. The regularly cited ‘2m rule’ is not recognised by the regulations and as such should not be followed. A permanent staircase in a building is not generally considered “working at height” under the regulations.

Companionway ladders are similar to cat ladders but they aren’t vertical. A companionway ladder, often also called a ship's ladder, is a steep, inclined ladder, typically angled between 60° and 75°, that features flat treads rather than rungs for safe, comfortable vertical access. They are used in both marine and industrial settings where space is too limited for a conventional staircase but a vertical ladder is inappropriate. Tadweld are fabricators of ship’s ladders and companionway ladders, speak to our team today to find out more.

Tadweld Brochure

Our brochure covers our design, manufacturing and installation services, our product range and AJAX Safe Access

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