When electrician Joffrey Bogemans bought a telescopic ladder online from Amazon, he thought he had chosen wisely as the product had the coveted EN131 safety standard clearly stamped on it.
However, it was a decision that could have cost him his life. The ladder buckled underneath him and he fell 15 ft onto a concrete floor, with his resulting injuries included broken ribs and a damaged pelvis, potentially putting the future of his business in jeopardy. Joffrey had just become another casualty of fake claims by a rogue ladder manufacturer.
The potential danger of poorly manufactured ladders has been further highlighted in the recent publication of the Ladder Association’s latest Telescopic Ladder Surveillance report.
Werner Compliance Manager Dave Elson comments: “The publication of the Ladder Association’s report makes for sober reading. Perhaps most startling of all the results is that 78% of telescopic extension ladders have failed basic safety standards, with 100% of telescopic extension ladders purchased from online marketplaces for the purposes of testing going on to fail. However, 100% of Werner manufactured telescopic extension ladders passed the same rigorous checks.
“Fake labelled ladders, often made from poorly manufactured materials, clearly put every user’s safety at risk,” he said. And in a recent investigation by consumer watchdog Which?, 100 telescopic ladders being sold on online marketplaces were found to be similar or identical to products previously recalled over safety concerns.
Joffrey’s accident reinforces why Werner, the leading global manufacturer of ladders and access equipment, continues to campaign on all aspects of safety for those working at height. Dave continues: “If something appears to be too good to be true, it probably is. Reputable manufacturers use quality materials to meet or comfortably exceed safety standard requirements, but this does impact on the overall retail price.
“Whilst Joffrey thought he was safe in buying a telescopic ladder that had the EN131 mark, the very cheap price tag pointed towards the quality of the item being compromised; and it turned out that the telescopic ladder had fake EN131 certification.”
Joffrey appeared on ITV’s Good Morning Britain programme earlier this month, telling viewers: “I was just inspecting a fire alarm on my ladder and when reaching for the alarm, the ladder bent and just gave way completely falling under me and I fell backwards and landed on the floor.”
Dave continues: “Unfortunately there are far too many unscrupulous ladder manufacturers falsely claiming their products have complied with the necessary safety regulations. Don’t take unnecessary risks by buying cheap products – they could cost you your life and are unlikely to provide many years of service.”
Consumer advice from Which? encourages people to buy ladders from accredited merchants and to beware of products that are significantly cheaper than the bigger brands. It also advises to look for EN131 stamping or markings that are engraved on the ladder, as well as the name of the manufacturer and where the product was manufactured. Additionally, there should be safety markings and picturegrams on the ladder, which should be packaged and delivered with a user manual. If there is no manual, or it is poorly translated, that could be a sign the ladder itself is counterfeit.
Telescopic ladders have been in the spotlight for safety concerns since 2025, when a joint investigation by The Ladder Association and T&R Test Research Centre uncovered alarming safety failings among those sold in the UK – particularly those purchased from online marketplaces supplied by unknown or third-party vendors.
Dave says: “The published report revealed that of the 18 ladders tested, just 22% passed all required safety tests. Werner telescopic ladders were among the cohort that passed, with every Werner ladder that was tested being recognised as safe for use.
“Among the most reported failures included ladders collapsing under load, unstable designs, and faulty locking mechanisms – all posing a serious risk of injury or even fatal falls. This is of course concerning as telescopic ladders have become increasingly popular thanks to their compact, lightweight, and adjustable design.
“Buying telescopic ladders online can be extremely risky, so users should exercise due diligence and ensure they research the product they’re looking to buy, making sure it’s manufactured by a trusted brand and meets the relevant safety guidelines. This is vital even when purchasing from well-known, trusted websites or recognised retailers.
“Research shows that more than three-quarters of these products that are purchased online are unsafe. Always prioritise safety, trusted brand reputation, and verified testing standards over price when choosing a ladder.”
