Every time someone climbs, they’re trusting that the system beneath them will do its job. But just one simple misstep or moment of distraction is all it takes for a routine task to turn into a life-altering fall. Despite these risks, many sites are still relying on outdated or incomplete safety systems that barely scrape compliance.
NEW as of autumn 2025, our Vertical Lifeline Kit (compatible with our RL53 Vertical Line Ladder) has been specifically engineered to take the complexity out of ladder safety, giving you a fully compliant vertical access system that’s quick to install, effortless to maintain, and fully aligned with BS EN 353-1:2014 standards. Here’s how our latest system helps you protect your team and comply with regulations with ease.
The real cost of non-compliance
According to HSE, working at height remains one of the leading causes of serious injury and fatalities in construction and facilities management. Every ladder, hatch, and access point needs to meet strict safety standards to ensure that your workers are fully protected from the moment they begin their climb. When systems are non-compliant, the consequences can be devastating.
A recent example reported by The Construction Index describes how a roofer was impaled after falling through a fragile rooflight without a skylight cover when completing cladding work at height. As a result, two companies have been prosecuted and fined a combined total of over £95,000. Incidents like this underline the critical importance of having a compliant vertical access system – not only to protect lives but also to avoid costly penalties.
Under BS EN 353-1:2014, any vertical lifeline system must provide continuous fall protection across the entire length of the climb. Many older or retrofitted systems fail to achieve this, leaving dangerous gaps in protection that can result in catastrophic accidents. Complying with these regulations is a vital part of creating a safe and efficient work environment, which is where our Vertical Lifeline Kit excels.
How the Katt Vertical Lifeline Kit makes roof access safer
Our Vertical Lifeline Kit is a fully engineered, ready-to-install solution that’s designed to make vertical access compliance simple and reliable. Whether you’re upgrading to or fitting a new Katt Safety RL53 Vertical Line Ladder, the system ensures continuous fall protection from ground to roof level, giving you total confidence that your team is fully protected when carrying out work from height.
We offer everything you could need for installation in one complete package:
- 10m of 8mm 7×7 static line cable to give your personnel a strong and durable vertical anchor
- Swageless forked end terminal with no welding or specialist tools required
- Cable tensioner with grub screws to maintain the system’s integrity
- Vertical line cable guide to keep the line aligned for smooth ascents and descents
- Fall arrester with integrated energy absorber to enable safe movement and instantly halt any falls
- Safety signboards and system labels to clearly display compliance requirements and usage instructions
Built from high-grade stainless steel, this ladder fall protection system is engineered to perform in even the harshest environments, including coastal facilities and manufacturing plants. It’s exceptionally quick and easy to maintain, with minimal ongoing investment required.
The kit can quickly be fitted on existing RL53 Vertical Line Ladders thanks to the swageless fittings, which are ideal if you need to keep downtime on your site to a minimum. And because it’s portable and reusable, you can easily deploy the system across multiple sites as your operational needs evolve.
Helping you stay compliant, without the hassle
At Katt Safety, we understand that navigating complex safety regulations can be challenging. That’s why we’ve created our Vertical Lifeline Kit, to help take the guesswork out of compliance. It seamlessly integrates with Katt Safety RL53 Vertical Line Ladders and can also be installed on existing RL53 ladders, helping to bring all your vertical access points up to BS EN 353-1:2014 standard without costly rework.
By investing in our new Vertical Lifeline Kit, you can rest assured that you’re supplying a safe and compliant fixed ladder fall arrest system for anyone who’s required to climb, inspect, or maintain equipment at height.
So, are you ready to make ladder safety simple? Get in touch to discuss your site’s requirements and request a free quote today.
FAQs
1) What standards does the Katt Vertical Lifeline Kit comply with?
Our Vertical Lifeline Kit is designed and tested in accordance with BS EN 353-1:2014 to ensure continuous fall protection across the full height of the climb. This makes it fully compliant with the UK and European safety requirements for guided type fall arresters.
2) Can the Vertical Lifeline Kit be installed on existing ladders?
Yes. The kit features swageless fittings, which allow for quick and easy retrofitting to existing Katt Safety RL53 Vertical Line Ladders without the need for welding or specialist tools. It’s the perfect solution for upgrading ladders with minimal downtime.
3) What maintenance is required for the system?
The kit is made from high-grade stainless steel, offering excellent corrosion resistance and long-term durability. We recommend carrying out routine inspections annually or every 12 months, but the system is designed to be low maintenance.
4) Is the Vertical Lifeline Kit suitable for different site types?
Absolutely. The system is ideal for a wide range of industrial, commercial, and infrastructure environments, including manufacturing plants, power stations, utilities, water treatment facilities, and warehouses. It offers dependable performance in even the harshest conditions.
