Ladder inspections are an essential part of owning them and using them safely. Ladders should be checked by the user before every use and on a regular basis by a competent person every three to six months.
The first rule of ladder safety is to do consistent checks and pre-checks. Simply put, if you have any doubts regarding a ladder’s safety then don’t use it. Defects typically go unnoticed and unfixed because people don’t know what they are looking for or consider the problem is not serious enough to justify a replacement ladder.
The Health and Safety Executive website says that a pre-check should be carried out by the user before using the ladder and after there has been a change. For example, if you move the ladder to a different space, you should check the feet for damages. When completing a pre-check, you need to:
- Look at the stiles – if the stiles look like they are bent or split this could lead the ladder to collapse
- Examine the feet – if the feet on the ladder are missing, worn, or damaged, then there is a higher risk of the ladder slipping
- Check the rung – if the rungs appear to be bent, missing, or loose, again the likelihood of you having a fall goes up as the ladder can easily become unstable
- Inspect the locking bars – if you are using a step ladder you should inspect the locking bars and make sure that they are not bent, and the fixings are not damaged or worn
- Look at the platform – if you are going to use a platform step ladder you will also need to check the platform for any defects like the platform being split or buckled.
You should also examine the ladder’s locking mechanisms (if applicable) to be sure that they are in working order. Ask yourself if the mechanism is working properly, are components or fixings bent, worn, or damaged? If so, the ladder may collapse. So, as part of your check you need to ensure any locking bars are fully engaged.
If you are an employer, you might be held accountable if a worker is injured whilst using a damaged ladder, particularly if you have not trained your employees to carry out these vital pre-use ladder inspections.
Detailed visual inspections
A detailed visual inspection is similar to a before use check, in the sense that it is used to find defects and can be done on site by a competent employee. Pre-use checks ensure that a ladder is safe to use. These checks don’t need to be recorded but any problems or issues with ladders in the workplace should be reported to a manager.
Detailed visual inspections are the responsibility of the employer and unlike pre-use checks they should be completed at fixed intervals and recorded. Records of these inspections provide an overall picture of the condition of the ladder over time.
If you discover any defects on your ladder you should not attempt to use it. Put your safety first and buy a new ladder from BPS Access Solutions. As well as pre-checks before use, regular ladder inspections should be carried out by a professional and competent individual for all work at height equipment every three to six months.
The ladder inspection details are a legal requirement and have to be readily available to a health and safety officer when needed. Ladder inspectors are required to be properly trained as well as possess the right practical and theoretical knowledge and experience necessary. Recommendations for visual detailed inspections vary from one manufacturer to the next, so consult your ladder’s user manual/ handbook for advice.
