The setup for the ARESTA Leaning Ladder System relies entirely on moving from the ground up, establishing a secure anchor to convert the ladder into a rigid fall-restraint system before you ever climb into a high-risk zone.
Here is the official step-by-step procedure for rigging and climbing with the leaning ladder kit:
Installation & Rigging Process
1. Attach the rope to the ladder: Ground Preparation.
Thread the 10m static kernmantle rope over the top rung of the ladder (never over a V-bracket or pole bracket). Secure it tightly, ensuring the rest of the line falls straight down the underside/working side of the ladder.
2. Position the ladder: Erecting.
Erect the ladder to your required height, positioning it slightly to the side of your intended working area.
3. Drill & fit the anchor bolt: Structural Anchorage.
Drill your structural fixing point using a 12.5mm masonry bit. Hand-tighten the reusable Ladder Tie Bolt clockwise into the hole until the expansion sleeve grips, pulling the eyebolt ring flush and completely secure against the structure.
4.Secure the ladder with the Yoke:System Tensioning.
Fit the Hi-Vis Ladder Yoke around both stiles. Use the 90-degree hand method (aligning your index finger with the pitch of the ladder so your thumb points toward the anchor bolt) to select the perfect rung height. Connect the 3m high-vis strap via its cam-lock between the yoke and the wall anchor, pulling it firmly toward you to tension the ladder tight against the structure.
5.Tension the vertical line:Line Security.
Tie off the bottom end of the 10m kernmantle rope to the second rung from the bottom on the underside of the ladder, ensuring the vertical line is fully tensioned and straight.
6.Connect personal protection:Final Safety Check.
Don your 2-point full body harness. Attach the Rope Grab device to the vertical kernmantle rope, and lock its twist-lock karabiner directly into your front sternal D-ring.
Climbing, Working, & Descending
- Ascending: Climb steadily. The rope grab is designed to slide freely up the tensioned rope as you ascend, providing continuous vertical protection.
- Work Restraint at Height: Once you reach your working height, slide the rope grab up as high as possible. Connect your adjustable Cow’s Tail lanyard to the highest reachable rung above you to lock yourself into a strict work-restraint position.
- Descending: Disconnect the Cow’s Tail first. To move down, use your index finger and thumb to lightly push up the eyelet mechanism on the rope grab to release the internal cam, allowing you to manually guide the device down to waist height as you step down the rungs.
Crucial Anchor Removal Note: When striking the kit, dismantling is the exact reverse. After unscrewing the reusable anchor bolt, allow a few minutes for the rubber expansion jacket to fully relax and shrink back to its normal size before trying to pull it cleanly out of the drilled hole.
The setup for the Tetra Leaning Ladder System relies entirely on moving from the ground up, establishing a secure anchor to convert the ladder into a rigid fall-restraint system before you ever climb into a high-risk zone.
Here is the official step-by-step procedure for rigging and climbing with the leaning ladder kit:
Installation & Rigging Process
1
Attach the rope to the ladder
Ground Preparation
1.Attach the rope to the ladder:Ground Preparation.
Thread the 10m static kernmantle rope over the top rung of the ladder (never over a V-bracket or pole bracket). Secure it tightly, ensuring the rest of the line falls straight down the underside/working side of the ladder.
2
Position the ladder
Erecting
2.Position the ladder:Erecting.
Erect the ladder to your required height, positioning it slightly to the side of your intended working area.
3
Drill & fit the anchor bolt
Structural Anchorage
3.Drill & fit the anchor bolt:Structural Anchorage.
Drill your structural fixing point using a 12.5mm masonry bit. Hand-tighten the reusable Ladder Tie Bolt clockwise into the hole until the expansion sleeve grips, pulling the eyebolt ring flush and completely secure against the structure.
4
Secure the ladder with the Yoke
System Tensioning
4.Secure the ladder with the Yoke:System Tensioning.
Fit the Hi-Vis Ladder Yoke around both stiles. Use the 90-degree hand method (aligning your index finger with the pitch of the ladder so your thumb points toward the anchor bolt) to select the perfect rung height. Connect the 3m high-vis strap via its cam-lock between the yoke and the wall anchor, pulling it firmly toward you to tension the ladder tight against the structure.
5
Tension the vertical line
Line Security
5.Tension the vertical line:Line Security.
Tie off the bottom end of the 10m kernmantle rope to the second rung from the bottom on the underside of the ladder, ensuring the vertical line is fully tensioned and straight.
6
Connect personal protection
Final Safety Check
6.Connect personal protection:Final Safety Check.
Don your 2-point full body harness. Attach the Rope Grab device to the vertical kernmantle rope, and lock its twist-lock karabiner directly into your front sternal D-ring.
Climbing, Working, & Descending
- Ascending: Climb steadily. The rope grab is designed to slide freely up the tensioned rope as you ascend, providing continuous vertical protection.
- Work Restraint at Height: Once you reach your working height, slide the rope grab up as high as possible. Connect your adjustable Cow’s Tail lanyard to the highest reachable rung above you to lock yourself into a strict work-restraint position.
- Descending: Disconnect the Cow’s Tail first. To move down, use your index finger and thumb to lightly push up the eyelet mechanism on the rope grab to release the internal cam, allowing you to manually guide the device down to waist height as you step down the rungs.
Crucial Anchor Removal Note: When striking the kit, dismantling is the exact reverse. After unscrewing the reusable anchor bolt, allow a few minutes for the rubber expansion jacket to fully relax and shrink back to its normal size before trying to pull it cleanly out of the drilled hole.
To keep both the Leaning Ladder and Pole kits compliant, safe, and smooth to operate, maintenance comes down to three main habits: proper cleaning, smart storage, and rigorous tracking.
Because text webbings and mechanical rope grabs degrade from grit and UV exposure, here is the best way to care for your kit:
Crucial Lifespan & Obsolescence Limits
Textile Components (Ropes, Slings, Yoke, Harness): The absolute maximum lifespan for the synthetic textile elements of the ARESTA kits is 10 years from the date of manufacture, regardless of usage. Even if a rope or harness has sat unused in a bag, the synthetic fibres naturally degrade over time and must be permanently retired after 10 years.
Metal Components (Rope Grab, Karabiners, Anchor Bolts): Metal hardware theoretically has an indefinite lifespan, provided it passes every pre-use check and formal thorough examination. However, in practice, heavy operational wear or a single dropped/damaged item will usually dictate its retirement well before then.
Complete Lifespan & Inspection Guide
To make tracking easy across your entire kit, use this quick-reference matrix for decommissioning gear:
| Component | Max Lifespan | Typical Service Life (Daily Use) | Primary Retirement Triggers |
| 10m Static Rope & Straps | 10 Years | 1 to 3 years | Cuts, core-shot (lumpy spots), severe abrasion, or heat glazing. |
| Harness & Pole Sling | 10 Years | 2 to 5 years | Pulled stitching, chemical stains, or missing/illegible serial labels. |
| Rope Grab & Karabiners | Indefinite | 5 to 10 years | Excessive gate play, weak spring return, or over 1mm of metal wear. |
| Reusable Tie Bolts | Indefinite | Variable (Thread wear) | Stripped threads, bent shafts, or a perished rubber expansion sleeve. |
The “First Sign” Rule
Always remember that lifespan is not a guarantee. The 10-year mark is simply a hard stop. If a piece of rope or webbing fails a pre-use inspection on year two due to a severe abrasion or a chemical splash, its lifespan drops to that exact moment. It must be instantly quarantined, cut up, and replaced.
Cleaning & Care Routine
- Ropes & Webbings (Sling, Yoke, Straps):
- Wash down heavy dirt or mud using cold or lukewarm water (maximum 30°C) mixed with a mild, pH-neutral soap or specialised tech wash.
- Never use harsh detergents, bleach, or solvent-based cleaners, as they break down the synthetic polyamide and polyester fibres.
- Air Dry Only: Dry everything naturally in a well-ventilated space away from direct heat sources (radiators) or prolonged UV/sunlight.
- Mechanical Gear (Rope Grab & Karabiners):
- If the rope grab’s internal cam or karabiner gates feel gritty, rinse them under warm water to flush out dirt.
- Dry them thoroughly with a lint-free cloth.
- Lubricate moving pivot points using a dry, Teflon-based lubricant (like PTFE spray). Avoid heavy WD-40 or grease, which act like a magnet for airborne grit and dust, grinding down the mechanism over time.
- The Reusable Anchor Bolts:
- Keep the threads on the expansion sleeve clean of masonry dust. Wipe down after extraction so the rubber jacket can relax and reset cleanly for the next job.
Storage Best Practices
- Avoid the “Wet Kit Bag” Trap: Never pack the kit away into its carry bag while the rope or webbings are still damp. This traps moisture, promoting mildew and mold that can weaken textile strength over time.
- Environment: Store the kit bag in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Keep it away from sharp edges, fuel cans, chemical spills, or battery acid in the back of service vans.
Inspection & Traceability
The 12-Month Rule: Under LOLER and standard personal protective equipment (PPE) regulations, this entire kit must undergo a thorough, documented examination by a competent person at least every 12 months (and often every 6 months if subject to harsh, daily outdoor use).
| Component | What to Look For | Action If Found |
| Ropes & Straps | Cuts, severe abrasion, fuzziness, chemical staining, or hard, brittle spots (heat damage). | Quarantine & Destroy |
| Stitching | Loose, pulled, broken, or faded contrasting threads on load-bearing joints. | Quarantine & Destroy |
| Rope Grab / Cam | Distorted metal, deep scoring, rust, or a sluggish/sticking spring return on the cam. | Quarantine & Replace |
| ID Labels | Serial numbers or asset tags that are completely worn off or illegible. | Quarantine until identity can be verified |
Pro Tip: Use an asset management system (like Scannable or similar digital logging) to scan the kit components before each shift. A quick pre-use check takes less than 60 seconds but ensures no expired or flagged gear ever leaves the van.
This risk assessment covers the standard hazards, risks, and control measures associated with setting up and using the Tetra Leaning Ladder and Pole Kits.
| Hazard | Associated Risk | Risk Level (Low/Med/High) | Control Measures & Best Practices |
| Falls from Height | Serious injury or fatality due to falling while climbing or transitioning at the top of the ladder. | High | * Pre-use check: Always inspect the 2-point harness, rope, and rope grab before use. * Ground-up safety: Ensure the vertical line is fully rigged and tensioned before ascending. * Total restraint: Clip the rope grab into the sternal D-ring before climbing. Always secure the adjustable Cow’s Tail lanyard to a high rung for full work restraint before commencing tasks. |
| Ladder Instability / Slippage | Ladder slipping outward at the base or flipping sideways during ascent. | Medium | * Rigid stabilization: Always use the 90-degree hand method to position the ladder yoke accurately. * Proper tension: Fully tension the straps (to the wall anchor or choked pole sling) to pull the ladder flush against the structure. * Secure footings: Ensure the ladder feet are on stable, level ground; use base stability accessories if ground conditions are poor. |
| Equipment Degradation / Mechanical Failure | Failure of ropes, webbings, or mechanical grabs under load, leading to a fall. | Medium | * Strict 10-year limit: Retire all textile elements (ropes, slings, harness) exactly 10 years from manufacture. * Compliance tracking: Conduct formal 6- or 12-month thorough examinations under LOLER/PPE regulations. Use asset tracking tags to verify status before every shift. * Chemical isolation: Keep all textiles completely clear of vehicle fuels, battery acids, or harsh solvents. |
| Structural / Anchor Failure | The anchor bolt pulling out of the masonry wall under tension or shock load. | Medium | * Correct drilling: Use a precise 12.5mm masonry bit to drill the anchor hole. * Substrate check: Only fix into sound structural brickwork or concrete; avoid loose mortar joints or crumbling render. * Proper strike method: Allow the rubber expansion sleeve on the reusable bolt to fully relax before extracting to protect the thread and sleeve integrity. |
| Falling Objects | Dropped tools or components injuring ground operatives or members of the public. | Low | * Drop prevention: Use tool lanyards on all hand tools used at height. * Exclusion zone: Keep the immediate ground area below the ladder clear of non-essential personnel during rigging and work. |