The frequency of ladder inspection depends on the type of check being performed. Falls from portable ladders are a leading cause of serious injury, most of which are preventable through proper equipment maintenance and inspection. The frequency is directly tied to the level of detail required, ranging from a quick user check to a more formal, documented assessment. Understanding these different levels is the most effective way to ensure the equipment remains structurally sound and safe for use. The most frequent check is performed by the user, while less frequent, detailed inspections catch subtle wear and tear.
The Most Important Check: Before Every Use
The most frequent inspection requirement is the quick visual and physical check performed by the user immediately before climbing the ladder. This pre-use inspection is necessary every time the equipment is deployed, even if it was recently used. Damage can occur during transport, movement, or storage, compromising the ladder’s integrity.
This immediate check is a performance-based requirement, confirming the ladder is fit for purpose before ascending. While formal documentation is not typically required for home use, this mandatory safety step identifies obvious defects that could lead to immediate failure or instability. This quick assessment acts as the final safety barrier before a person puts their weight on the equipment.
What to Look For: A Pre-Use Checklist
The pre-use check involves a systematic examination of the ladder’s main components to ensure they are free from defects and operating correctly.
The user must check the following components:
- Side rails (stiles) for cracks, splits, dents, or excessive bends, which indicate a loss of load-bearing capacity. For aluminum ladders, dents weaken the metal, while fiberglass rails must be checked for fine cracks or exposed fibers.
- Rungs and steps to ensure they are securely fastened and are not loose, bent, or missing. Movement in a rung connection suggests a joint failure that could lead to collapse under load.
- Ladder feet (shoes) must be present, securely attached, and have non-slip pads that are not worn smooth or missing. Worn feet increase the risk of the ladder slipping.
- Spreader bars on stepladders must be fully extended and locked into place before use, providing necessary lateral stability.
- Extension ladders require a check of the locking mechanisms (pawls) to ensure they engage correctly and hold the fly section securely.
- The rope and pulley system on extension ladders must be inspected for fraying or excessive wear, as a broken rope can cause the upper section to drop unexpectedly.
- All labels, including the duty rating and safety warnings, should be legible and intact.
Periodic and Post-Incident Inspections
Beyond the user’s pre-use check, a more detailed, formal inspection is recommended to catch subtle degradation that a quick visual check might miss. While regulatory bodies do not specify a single frequency for all ladders, a periodic inspection by a trained person is a recognized safety practice. For ladders used in commercial or harsh environments, a formal inspection every three to six months is often recommended, while a general guideline for home ladders is an annual, thorough assessment.
This formal check involves a deeper dive into the ladder’s condition, often including checks for corrosion, rust, or material-specific issues like chalking on fiberglass from ultraviolet light exposure. Fiberglass ladders exposed to the elements should be checked for surface fiber appearance changes and gloss loss, which indicate resin erosion and a reduction in the material’s protective qualities.
Any ladder that has been subjected to an event that could have caused damage must be immediately removed from service and inspected before it is used again. This includes being dropped, struck by a vehicle, or exposed to corrosive chemicals or excessive heat.
If any inspection, whether pre-use or periodic, reveals a defect, the ladder must be immediately tagged with a “Do Not Use” label and taken out of service. Makeshift repairs are not permitted, and the ladder must either be professionally repaired to the manufacturer’s specifications or destroyed in a way that prevents its future use. This strict removal process ensures that compromised equipment does not re-enter the usage cycle, maintaining a high standard of safety.