As manufacturers of fall arrest systems, we know how important it is for installers to carry out assembly and inspections properly, since a mistake can turn a routine task into an accident.
Ladders, within work at height, may be considered a simple element, but they are responsible for a large number of incidents every year. A check before each use minimizes the risks when climbing up or down them.
Why Check a Ladder Before Using It?
As we have mentioned, a check by the user before using a ladder, whether portable, industrial, etc., helps minimize risks and thus avoid accidents with consequences as serious as a fall.
What Faults Can Be Detected Before Accidents Happen?
If we don’t check a ladder before using it, we may overlook small details in the materials or the structure itself, such as:
- Loose, bent or cracked rungs.
- Side rails that are deformed, corroded or damaged by impact.
- Worn or broken non-slip feet.
- Built-in safety systems, such as lifelines or anchor points, with play, loose hardware or corrosion.
- Loss of plumb or instability in fixed ladders.
- Illegible identification or load capacity labels.
Most Common Consequences of Not Checking a Ladder
Failing to check the ladder before use, and therefore not seeing some of the defects mentioned above, can lead to:
- Falls from height due to structural failures.
- Slipping due to incorrect placement or deteriorated non-slip rubber.
- Sudden breakage of rungs, side rails or anchor points.
- Damage to built-in vertical fall arrest systems (lifelines, self-retracting fall arresters, etc.).
Besides the fall risk itself, an undetected failure can cause operational shutdowns, penalties or regulatory noncompliance.
How Often Should a Ladder Be Inspected?
Depending on the type of ladder, and therefore the standard it follows, inspections will have one frequency or another, for example:
Portable ladders
- Visual inspection before each use
- Periodic technical inspection (quarterly or every six months depending on intensity of use).
Fixed ladders with fall arrest systems
- Visual inspection at each access
- Annual technical inspection by a competent person
Ladders in aggressive environments
- Visual inspection at each access
- Periodic technical inspection according to risk assessment
How Do We Visually Inspect a Ladder?
As a simple checklist and an example guide, here are some key points to keep in mind when performing a visual inspection before using a ladder:
Steps to Follow Before Using and Climbing a Ladder
The following steps or points are useful whether the ladder is portable or anchored to the wall:
- Clean, dry and firm footing
- Check stability before climbing
- Verify that it is correctly positioned
- Make sure we are wearing the corresponding PPE and fall arrest systems
How Do You Check That It Is Stable and Correctly Positioned?
In the case of portable ladders, we must check the condition of the ground where we will place it and that the angle is correct:
- The feet or base of the ladder must rest on a stable, level surface with nothing that could create instability
- The correct angle will depend on the type of portable ladder being used, so it is important to consult the technical data sheet or the manufacturer’s manual
By contrast, on vertical ladders, we must make sure the wall anchors are in good condition.
Which Defects Require Taking the Ladder Out of Service Until It Is Repaired?
Some of the defects or faults we may find that would make the ladder unfit for use are:
- Broken or loose rungs
- Side rails with cracks or deformation
- Missing screws or screws in poor condition
- Obvious instability (either from the feet on portable ladders or from loose anchors on wall-mounted ones)
- Malfunctioning fall arrest systems
- Alteration of the ladder structure through unauthorized repairs
How to Record Inspection Traceability
For industrial ladders installed on a wall, this installation is usually accompanied by an identification plate that tells us which company installed it, as well as the installation date and the next inspection dates.
This plate provides the information and allows traceability, at least in terms of dates, of the inspections the system has undergone.
Why Is It Advisable to Keep Track of Inspections?
A well-kept record allows us to detect faults and schedule preventive maintenance to avoid accidents, in addition to making sure the ladder complies with the standard and sparing us penalties.
What Information Should Be Recorded?
Some of the information we consider the minimum when keeping a record would be:
- Installation date, inspection date and next inspection date
- Equipment identification number
- Location where it is installed
- Equipment status (fit, unfit, fit with conditions)
- Damage detected and corrective actions
- Name of the installation company
- Name of the responsible technician
How Often Is a More Thorough Inspection Recommended?
The frequency of inspections will be determined by the type of ladder, by the standard and by what the manufacturer indicates in its manual and technical data sheet; in general it could be as follows:
- Portable ladders: every 3 to 6 months depending on use.
- Fixed or vertical ladders (EN14122-4): mandatory inspection every 12 months by qualified personnel.
- Built-in fall arrest systems (lifelines, anchor points, self-retracting fall arresters, …): inspection every 12 months certified by the manufacturer or an authorized technician.
Conclusion
A visual check before using a ladder is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to prevent accidents; something as simple as checking stability or the anchors can prevent fall accidents.
From our point of view, as manufacturers of fall arrest systems, we believe ladders should be considered one more component of the safety system and, therefore, should be inspected.
If after reading the article you still need help or have any questions, you can contact us.