Tools: Only As Useful As We Make Them

By Don Harkness, East Coast Regional Manager, SEA

Ladder Inspection Safety At-A-Glance

Ladders of all types are useful in the workplace. They are tools that allow workers to safely reach another level. Working at elevated levels poses plenty of risks, ones that have been covered in many regulatory training courses you have attended. Walking, Working Surfaces and Fall protection all focus heavily on the different hazards, of which SEA would be honored to share with you, but today, I want to focus on what needs to happen prior to using the ladder.

The Right Tool for the Job

And make no mistake, ladders are tools, and only perform as well as we, the operators, allow them to. So, what do we need to consider when picking the right ladder for our job? Several key factors include, but aren’t limited to:

What are we doing? What style do you need?

• Step Ladders, extension ladders, and platform ladders all serve different purposes!

What is the weight limit of my ladder? 

• Note that the weight limit includes you and all the tools/equipment you are wearing, including fall protection!

What height do I need my ladder to be?

• Ladders come in all shapes and sizes, so ensure you pick one that allows you to not put yourself at risk, even if it takes a little extra time to go and get it!

What material should my ladder be made of?

• Most ladders are fiberglass but also come in several other materials. Make sure you plan for the task and don’t pick a metal ladder when working with electricity, for example

The Most Important Step

After choosing the ladder for our task, we need to perform an all-around inspection of the ladder. How often do we need to perform this inspection? Does it need to be documented? Ladders must be inspected before every use to ensure that no damage has occurred. As far as documentation goes, it is required that a documented inspection occur once a year, but your company policy can dictate more frequent documented inspections.

What are we looking for?

When doing a ladder inspection, you must look at all aspects of the ladder to ensure compliance and safety. A comprehensive list can be found here, but can vary ladder to ladder, so be sure that you are checking the ladder instructions for all aspects of your ladder. 

Check the following:

• Unfold the ladder and place it on a level surface
• Use this time to check the feet to ensure that they are firm, undamaged, and keep the ladder level
• Check the spreader braces to ensure they are not damaged, or rusty, and that the locking mechanism is functioning properly
• Check the rails to ensure they are not cracked, have heavy sun damage, or are not bent
• Ensure the steps are not bent, rivets broken, or supports missing
• Check accessories like the rope/pully system on extension ladders to ensure they are in proper working order
• Double check to ensure all labels are in place, such as the proper use stickers, do not step above this step, weight restrictions, ladder type, etc.
• Ensure these labels are in place! They are required to be there by law, and the ladder is considered defective without them.

How SEA Can Help

The safety experts at SEA have over 90 years of combined experience in keeping workplaces safe and healthy, including key equipment inspections, policies, procedures, and on-site expertise. Having a third party, like SEA, come onsite to perform a documented inspection demonstrates investment in your company’s safety and health culture, with the added benefit of giving you peace of mind that these annual requirements are taken care of. 

There are a few key things to keep in mind regarding ladders. If ladders are damaged or defective, they must be removed from service and destroyed. Stickers and labels must be ordered from the manufacturer and must be for that specific ladder type. If you find a defect, report it immediately. Never attempt to fix the ladder with unapproved components or methodology. Broken ladders can be a serious Health and Safety hazard, and by performing a simple inspection before each use, you can prevent a horrible accident!