Published November 16th, 2020
What is Ladder Inspection?
Ladder inspection is the process of inspecting ladders for safety and to ensure that they are in good working condition. As an equipment frequently used to accomplish a variety of tasks, maintaining the safety of ladders through regular inspections is important to help prevent ladder-related incidents and comply with regulations mandating the safe use of ladders in the workplace.
Consistently cited as one of the top 10 OSHA safety violations, ladder safety is vital to reinforcing workplace safety and in preventing incidents such as falls, one of the most common causes of work-related injuries and fatalities. OSHA has required employers to ensure that ladders are inspected before initial use in each shift to address safety concerns. Using a ladder inspection checklist can help proactively catch issues that could lead to work-related injuries.
In this article we will discuss the following:
- What is a ladder inspection checklist
- What is checked during a ladder inspection
- A powerful ladder inspection app
- Free ladder inspection checklists you can download and use right away
What is a Ladder Inspection Checklist?
A ladder inspection checklist is a tool guide used in assessing the working condition of a ladder. It helps ensure that a ladder passes safety and quality standards before use and that it is being used correctly by trained workers. Performing regular ladder inspections help reduce the likelihood of injuries caused by equipment malfunction and improve overall worker safety.
What is Inspected with a Ladder Safety Checklist?
Ultimately, a ladder inspection’s goal is to identify if a ladder is fit for use, needs repair before it can be used, or if it is not safe for use at all. In order to do this, the following should be checked:
Type of ladder – the inspector should be aware of the type or the material of the ladder because they can have their own safety concerns. A wooden type of ladder may have splinters, cracks, or chips, while a metal type of ladder may not be suitable for use near electrical equipment.
Damage and defects – ladders that have minor damage may still become fit for use provided that they are repaired first. Ladders that are badly damaged should be clearly tagged as not fit for use and properly set aside for disposal.
Other concerns – ladders should be checked to see if there are components that are missing or not functioning properly and if there is anything on it such as dirt, oil, or grease that may cause slips and falls.
Powerful Software for Efficient Ladder Inspection Checklists
With iAuditor by SafetyCulture, a powerful inspection software, you can efficiently conduct ladder inspections, proactively catch ladder safety concerns, and streamline recordkeeping for easy and secure access of inspection reports anytime, anywhere. Instantly get notified and address equipment malfunctions to help workers avoid accidents. Using iAuditor, you can:
- Perform ladder inspections with a tablet or mobile device.
- Take photos and attach photo evidence with annotations to illustrate identified issues.
- Improve communication between members of your organization with easy report sharing.
- Generate comprehensive reports as you finish an audit. Preview sample report.
- Securely save all reports in the cloud.
Ladder Inspection Checklists
Ladder Inspection Checklist
A ladder inspection checklist is a step-by-step guide used to ensure that a ladder passes quality and safety measures. Use this checklist to identify equipment defects before use to reduce risks and accidents such as cuts, bruises, or other severe injuries. Make the most of this ladder inspection checklist by following the points below:
- Take or attach a photo of a ladder and its tag or label
- Describe ladder type, length, class, and weight supported
- Provide photo evidence of identified defects
- Rate ladder, add your comments or recommendations, and sign off with a digital signature.
Ladder Safety Checklist
A ladder safety checklist is used to assess if a ladder is suitable for use and will not be a cause of injury. Use this checklist to conduct safety checks by testing the ladder’s functionality and reliability. Ensure that the ladder has gone through proper inspection (before and after use) and identify defects that may cause potential risks such as falls.
OSHA Ladder Inspection Form
This OSHA Ladder Inspection Form was converted with iAuditor. Use this as a guide in purchasing, maintenance, and usage of ladders to ensure worker safety. Maximize iAuditor’s features by capturing photos of ladders before use and highlight specific hazards by annotating defects. Record observations regarding ladder usage and assign appropriate actions to your supervisor to notify them about potential hazards detected while working on ladders.
Ladder Set Up and Usage Checklist
This template can be used by managers and safety teams to inspect if a ladder was set up and used properly during operations. Start by recording the nature of work and identifying the type of ladder used to perform the task. Then evaluate the process of setting up and climbing up a ladder. Lastly, provide recommendations to improve safety.
PPE Checklist
Proper usage of PPE can reduce the risk of falling or tripping when using a ladder. Use this template to select the appropriate equipment associated with the task being performed when using a ladder. Record hazards that may be in contact with the body, select the correct PPE and inspect PPE condition by taking photo evidence. Use iAuditor to ensure quality PPE before use to prevent serious injuries that may be encountered.
Accident Report Form Checklist
Keeping an accident report helps track improvement on ladder safety. Use this template to document accidents caused by faulty ladders, improper use of ladder or not wearing recommended PPE. Start by recording information of the injured person, injury details, contributing factors and recommendations. You may also include emergency services involved, hospitalization information and witness statements. Use iAuditor to take photo evidence of the injury and track accident location.
