Ladder Inspection Checklist
Who can conduct inspections?
Ladder inspections should only be conducted by a competent person. A competent persons is someone who has the necessary technical expertise, training and experience to carry out the task.
How often should ladders be inspected and records completed?
Pre-use checks should be performed before every use. These checks do not need to be recorded. Pre-use checks make sure that a ladder is safe to use and are for the immediate benefit of the ladder user. Any problems or issues should be reported to a manager.
Detailed Visual Inspections these should be carried out regularly by a competent person. These inspections will be outlined in the manufacturer’s instruction manual. A detailed visual inspection is similar to pre-use checks, in that it is used to spot defects and can be done on site by a competent employee.
Detailed visual inspections are the responsibility of the employer. They should be carried out at fixed intervals and recorded. Records of these inspections provide a snapshot of the state of the ladders over time.
There is no legally mandated frequency that tells us when we must conduct our ladder inspections. It is recommended that ladders and steps, that are used on a daily basis, should have a written, recorded inspection by a competent person every 3 months. For weekly use, inspections should be undertaken every 6 months and if use is less than monthly, annual inspections should be performed.
Ladder Inspection Process
The ladder inspection process involves a detailed visual and physical inspection of the ladder. Should a ladder fail inspection, it must be put out of use. This should include clearly marking the ladder, so that others know that it is unfit for tasks. It should also involve locking the ladder in a secure place.