Many ladder incidents occur when inspections are skipped, so before you climb you must visually and physically inspect your ladder for damaged or bent rungs, loose spreaders or hinges, missing or worn feet, corrosion, and proper load rating; verify your ladder is on a stable, level surface and free of slippery contaminants. If you find defects, tag it out of service and arrange repair or replacement-regular pre-use inspections are your best defense against falls.
Key Takeaways:
- Inspect the ladder before each use for cracked or bent rails, loose or missing rungs, worn feet, damaged locks, and any contamination that could cause slipping.
- Verify proper setup and stability: firm, level footing, fully engaged locks/spreaders, correct angle (about 75°), and top-secured or tied off when possible.
- Adhere to load ratings and safe-climbing practices: face the ladder, maintain three points of contact, and tag/remove any ladder found defective.
Importance of Ladder Inspections
Regular inspections cut risk by catching frayed rails, loose rungs, damaged feet, corrosion and other hidden hazards before you climb. You should inspect ladders before each use and schedule periodic exams by a competent person per OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(15); since falls make up about one-third of construction fatalities, those checks directly reduce injury rates and downtime.
Preventing Accidents
You prevent tip-overs by verifying angle (the 4:1 rule), secure footing, and intact slip-resistant shoes or feet; check for missing rungs, loose fasteners, and any bent rails. If you find a defect, tag the ladder Out of Service, remove it from use, and replace or repair immediately – simple pre-use checks eliminate many common ladder incidents.
Compliance with Safety Standards
To meet OSHA and industry requirements you must have documented inspection procedures, train personnel on ladder use and inspection, and ensure a competent person performs periodic checks as required by 29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(15). Noncompliance exposes you to citations, increased liability, and repeat incidents that audits will reveal.
Practical compliance means maintaining a checklist that records ladder ID, inspection date, inspector name, defects found, and corrective actions taken. You should apply Do Not Use tags on defective ladders, keep repair receipts or replacement records, and review logs during toolbox talks so patterns-like repeated foot damage or rung failures-get addressed systemically.
Types of Ladders
Different ladder designs change where you focus inspections: check for corrosion, bent rails, worn feet, damaged locks and load-rating labels before each use; industrial jobs often use Type IA (300 lb) or Type IAA (375 lb)Type II (225 lb). Inspect ropes, pulleys and overlap engagement on adjustable ladders, and note that platform ladders provide a safer working surface. This section breaks down common ladder types, inspection points, and selection tips.
- Step Ladders
- Extension Ladders
- Platform Ladders
- Folding/Multiposition Ladders
- Telescoping Ladders
| Step Ladders | Self-supporting A-frame units; inspect spreader braces, top cap, rungs and feet; common household ratings are Type II (225 lb). |
| Extension Ladders | Non-self-supporting, adjustable length; check halyard, pulleys, rung locks and ensure correct base angle (4:1) and secure top support. |
| Platform Ladders | Provide a standing platform and guardrails; verify decking, guardrail integrity and rated load (often 300 lb). |
| Folding/Multiposition | Hinged systems that convert to A-frame or extension; inspect hinges, locking pins and ensure all joints fully engage before use. |
| Telescoping Ladders | Collapsible sliding sections; confirm smooth extension/retraction, intact locking cams and absence of dirt or debris in tracks. |
Step Ladders
You use step ladders for low-to-medium tasks up to about 20 ft; always check that spreader braces lock, top caps are undamaged, rungs are straight and nonslip feet are intact. If you find loose rivets, cracked top caps, or bent rails, tag out the ladder and remove it from service-never climb a ladder with those defects.
Extension Ladders
Extension ladders let you reach higher work but demand careful setup: set the base at the 4:1 ratio (1 ft out for every 4 ft up), extend at least 3 ft above the landing for access, and inspect the halyard, pulleys and rung locks for wear; if rope frays or locks don’t engage, do not use the ladder.
When identifying an extension ladder for a job, choose length and duty rating that leave room for safe overlap and anchoring-many units require a minimum overlap or follow manufacturer tables. Always secure the top, maintain three-point contact, avoid overreaching beyond your belt line, and tag out ladders with damaged rungs, worn cams, or visible corrosion.
Key Inspection Points
Before you climb, run a quick checklist: inspect rails, rungs, feet, locks and ropes, and compare the ladder’s duty rating (Type III-Type IAA, typically 200-375 lb) to your load. Pay attention to cracked rails, bent rungs, and missing hardware – any of these warrant removal from service. For more guidance, consult Think Before You Climb: Ladder Safety.
Structural Integrity
Inspect side rails for straightness and rungs for secure attachment; rungs are normally about 12 inches apart on portable ladders. If you find visible cracks, sharp deformities, deep corrosion, or loose rivets, tag the ladder out – these defects compromise load capacity and fall protection. You should also check welds and splice plates where stress concentrates, since failure often starts at connection points.
Hardware and Components
Check spreader bars, locking mechanisms, pulleys, ropes and feet for wear or play; locking hinges must engage fully and not wobble. Replace rubber feet that are worn smooth or missing, and ensure pulleys turn freely without grinding. Loose or damaged hardware is a leading cause of slips and ladder collapse, so don’t use the ladder until repairs are complete.
For a deeper hardware check, test locks by applying force in both directions to confirm they hold under load and inspect pins and cotter keys for bending or corrosion. Examine extension ropes for frays and test pulleys under rotation; a sticky pulley can prevent safe extension. Establish a routine: inspect before each use and perform a documented monthly inspection, and tag any ladder with visible defects out of service until it’s repaired or replaced.
Frequency of Inspections
Daily Checks
Before you climb each ladder, perform a quick walk‑around: check feet and slip‑resistant soles, clean rungs, spreader locks, and extension‑ladder ropes/pulleys. Inspect labels and load rating and scan for cracked rungs, bent rails, loose rivets, or missing safety feet. This brief check takes under a minute, prevents most immediate hazards, and keeps only safe, serviceable ladders in use.
Periodic Comprehensive Inspections
Schedule thorough inspections at least monthly for ladders used daily and quarterly for low‑use units, and inspect immediately after impacts or extreme weather. Use a checklist to examine welds, rivets, side‑rail straightness, corrosion, and verify load ratings (Type III-200 lb, Type I-250 lb, Type IA-300 lb, Type IAA-375 lb). Document date, inspector name, findings, and tag out any ladder with structural defects.
During comprehensive checks remove shoes/caps and accessories to inspect connection points, pulleys, and rope condition; test locks and spreaders under load where safe. For aluminum ladders use magnification or dye‑penetrant to find hairline cracks at rung connections; for wood check for splits, rot, or delamination. Replace parts showing permanent deformation, hairline cracks, fraying, or significant corrosion, and keep logs to spot wear trends and plan replacements.
Proper Use of Ladders
When you set up a ladder, place the base about one foot from the wall for every four feet of ladder height (the 4:1 angle) and ensure the feet are on firm, level ground; extend extension ladders at least 3 feet above the landing and tie or secure the top. You must use the ladder’s duty rating-Type IAA (375 lb), IA (300 lb), I (250 lb), II (225 lb), III (200 lb)-and never carry heavy loads while climbing unless the ladder is rated and stabilized for that use.
Safe Climbing Practices
You should always face the ladder, maintain three points of contact, and keep your hips between the side rails; avoid standing on the top two rungs or the top cap. Use a tool belt or hoist tools up separately, climb slowly, and never overreach past the ladder’s centerline-overreaching is a common cause of 6-10 ft fall injuries. Inspect footwear for oil or debris before climbing and avoid sudden moves that create side loads.
Understanding Load Limits
You need to count your body weight plus clothing, tools and materials when checking a ladder’s duty rating: a 220 lb worker with 40 lb of tools needs at least a Type I (250 lb) ladder, but choosing Type IA (300 lb) or higher is safer. Exceeding the rated load can cause bending, rail failure, or sudden collapse; labels on the ladder list the maximum intended load-use that as your hard limit.
Also account for dynamic and side loads: a dropped tool or a sudden lurch increases force beyond static weight and can overload a ladder. Corrosion, bent rails, or worn feet reduce the ladder’s actual capacity, so if you’re unsure, select the next higher duty rating (for example, move from Type I to Type IA or IAA) and avoid using ladders for two-person tasks unless explicitly rated for it.
Training and Education
Employee Training Programs
Provide hands-on sessions that test ladder selection, pre-use inspection, proper setup and emergency response; you validate competency with observed climbs and a short practical test. Include instruction on duty ratings-Type IAA (375 lb), IA (300 lb), I (250 lb)-and emphasize hazards like frayed side rails or faulty locking mechanisms. Document completion in a training log and schedule formal refreshers annually or after any unsafe act is observed.
Ongoing Safety Curriculum
Integrate brief toolbox talks (10-15 minutes) into weekly or monthly meetings and follow with quarterly hands-on drills so you keep skills current. Use short e‑learning modules with a 6‑month quiz, track progress in your LMS, and require one-on-one coaching when supervisors spot unsafe setup or misuse. Highlight three-point contact and load limits during every session.
For example, in a mid‑size facility you might run weekly 10‑minute talks, quarterly scenario drills (misstep, rung failure, rescue), and semiannual competency checks; combining those with documented pre‑shift inspections and targeted coaching produces measurable reductions in near‑misses and enforces consistent ladder safety habits across crews.
Summing up
Ultimately, you must inspect ladders before each use to confirm rungs, locks, feet and rails are intact, clean and secure, set at the correct angle, and positioned on stable ground to protect your safety; if any defect or instability exists, do not climb-tag out the ladder, report it, and use an undamaged alternative or assistive equipment.
FAQ
Q: What should I check during a pre-use ladder inspection?
A: Perform a visual and functional pre-use check: inspect side rails for bends, cracks, corrosion or splits; check rungs/steps and welds for damage, looseness or missing fasteners; confirm spreader braces, hinge pins and locking devices engage fully and hold under load; verify feet/anti-slip pads are intact and not worn; ensure extension ropes, pulleys and halyards operate smoothly and are undamaged; confirm labels, load rating and use instructions are legible; ensure the ladder is clean, dry and free of oil, mud or other contaminants; keep metal ladders away from electrical sources and verify no conductive hazards nearby. If any defect or doubt exists, tag the ladder out of service and remove it from use.
Q: How do I inspect different types of ladders (stepladder, extension, multi-position, step stool)?
A: Stepladders: check spreader braces, hinge pins, top cap condition and feet; never use the top cap as a standing step. Extension ladders: inspect fly sections for proper overlap, lock dogs, halyard, pulleys, rung condition and butt/top shoes for secure fit. Multi-position/articulating ladders: verify all hinge points, detents and locking mechanisms function correctly in every configuration. Step stools: confirm platform integrity, locking mechanism and non-slip surfaces. For wooden or fiberglass ladders look for splits, rot or delamination; for metal ladders check for corrosion and bent components. Follow manufacturer inspection schedules and inspect before each use.
Q: What actions should be taken if a ladder is found to be damaged or defective?
A: Immediately take the ladder out of service, apply an out-of-service tag, and store it where it cannot be used. Report the defect to your supervisor and document the condition per company procedures. Do not attempt improvised field repairs; only qualified personnel should perform repairs using manufacturer-approved parts and methods. If a ladder contacts energized electrical equipment or lines, do not touch the ladder or the person on it; isolate the area, notify electrical authorities and await qualified responders or de-energization before any rescue or handling.