April 2, 2024

Ladder inspections: What to look for

We use ladders so often, sometimes we forget the risk we’re taking each time we climb one.

There are several ways in which small mistakes in usage can add up to major injury risks. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health lists a few:

1. Insufficient ladder inspection
Ensure your equipment is in working order before any project (see more tips below).

2. Incorrect extension ladder setup angle
In about 40 percent of cases, the primary cause of injuries is a ladder sliding out at the base due to an incorrect angle for setup.

3. Inappropriate ladder selection
Notably, selecting a ladder made of nonconductive material can avoid electrocution and related falls.

4. Improper ladder use
Overreaching? Carrying items while on a ladder? Applying excessive force? There are several ways a person can injure themselves while using a ladder.

5. Lack of access to ladder safety tools and information
Small employers account for nearly 80 percent of all construction companies, and they may not have access to ladder-safety resources.

For perspective, about half a million people are treated for ladder-related injuries each year. This is why you should inspect ladders before every use.

Below, find more tips on what to look for when doing a ladder inspection.

When should you inspect ladders?

Inspect new ladders promptly upon receipt
Inspect ladders before each use
Check the condition of ladders that have been dropped or have fallen before using them again

What should you look for when inspecting any ladder?

Missing or loose steps or rungs (they are loose if you can move them by hand)
Damaged or worn non-slip cleats
Loose nails, screws, bolts or nuts
Loose or faulty spreaders, locks and other metal parts in poor repair
Rot, decay or warped rails in wooden ladders
Cracks and exposed fiberglass in fiberglass ladders
Cracked, split, worn or broken rails, braces, steps or rungs
Sharp edges on rails and rungs
Dents and dings in aluminum ladders
Rough or splintered surfaces
Corrosion, rust, oxidization and excessive wear, especially on treads
Paint or other material that could obstruct your ability to see defects
Oil, grease, mud or other debris on rungs or other parts of the ladder
Twisted or distorted rails — check ladders for distortion by sighting along the rails
Missing identification labels

Real-world example

A near-tragedy at a roofing company a few years ago underscores the importance of ladder inspections.

According to an account provided by the Wisconsin Occupational Safety & Health Administration:

Two roofing technicians were using ladders to get to a roof for inspection and repair.

The first technician set up a 30-foot extension ladder rated for a 300-pound load capacity. (The technician weighed 160 pounds.)

The ladder was less than 2 months old and had recently been inspected. But as the technician climbed the ladder, he felt it begin to give way.

Fortunately, he was able to hold onto the edge of the roof as the ladder collapsed under him. He stayed there until the second technician set up another ladder for him to climb down to safety.

The company immediately inspected all of its fiberglass extension ladders and found that about 20 percent of them had small cracks in the fiberglass on the side rails — some right next to the rungs.