Free checklist · Safety equipment
Ladder inspection checklist (free, printable)
OSHA requires general-industry ladders to be inspected before first use in each work shift for visible defects. Check the rails for cracks, bends and splits, every rung or step for damage and looseness, the feet and pads, the spreaders and locks on stepladders, the rung locks, rope and pulley on extension ladders, that labels are readable, and that it's free of oil, grease and mud.
- How often
- Before first use each shift
- The rule
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.23(b)(9)
- Items
- 15 checks
- Takes
- About 4 minutes
By the CheckBadges team · Updated
Layout
Ladder inspection checklist
Before first use each shift
| Item | OK | Problem | N/A |
|---|---|---|---|
| All ladders | |||
| Side railsNo cracks, splits, bends, dents or burn marks. | |||
| Rungs and stepsNone missing, loose, bent or cracked; slip-resistant surface intact. | |||
| Rivets and fastenersNone loose, sheared or missing. | |||
| Feet and padsPads present, swivel freely and not worn through. | |||
| CleanFree of oil, grease, mud, paint and other slipping hazards. | |||
| LabelsDuty rating and safety labels present and readable. | |||
| Fiberglass railsNo exposed fibers, cracks or burn marks. | |||
| Wooden ladder finishNot painted or coated in a way that could hide defects. | |||
| Stepladders | |||
| SpreadersLock fully open and hold the front and back apart. | |||
| Top capNot cracked or loose. | |||
| Rear rails and bracesNot bent, cracked or loose. | |||
| Stands steadyNo rocking or twisting when open on level ground. | |||
| Extension ladders | |||
| Rung locksEngage fully and hold the fly section; springs work. | |||
| Rope and pulleyRope not frayed or worn; pulley turns freely. | |||
| Guide bracketsNot bent; sections slide smoothly. | |||
Problems found and action taken:
If anything is a problem, don't use the machine: tag it out and report it. Free checklist from checkbadges.com — put it on a QR sticker and operators can fill it in on their phone.
What to check on a ladder, item by item
All ladders
- Side rails — No cracks, splits, bends, dents or burn marks.
- Rungs and steps — None missing, loose, bent or cracked; slip-resistant surface intact.
- Rivets and fasteners — None loose, sheared or missing.
- Feet and pads — Pads present, swivel freely and not worn through.
- Clean — Free of oil, grease, mud, paint and other slipping hazards.
- Labels — Duty rating and safety labels present and readable.
- Fiberglass rails — No exposed fibers, cracks or burn marks.
- Wooden ladder finish — Not painted or coated in a way that could hide defects.
Stepladders
- Spreaders — Lock fully open and hold the front and back apart.
- Top cap — Not cracked or loose.
- Rear rails and braces — Not bent, cracked or loose.
- Stands steady — No rocking or twisting when open on level ground.
Extension ladders
- Rung locks — Engage fully and hold the fly section; springs work.
- Rope and pulley — Rope not frayed or worn; pulley turns freely.
- Guide brackets — Not bent; sections slide smoothly.
How often a ladder has to be inspected
In general industry, before first use in each work shift; in construction, periodically by a competent person and after anything that could affect safe use. The general industry rule says "Ladders are inspected before initial use in each work shift, and more frequently as necessary, to identify any visible defects that could cause employee injury" (29 CFR 1910.23(b)(9)). The construction rule says "Ladders shall be inspected by a competent person for visible defects on a periodic basis and after any occurrence that could affect their safe use" (29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(15)).
| General industry | Construction | |
|---|---|---|
| How often | Before initial use in each work shift, and more often as necessary | On a periodic basis, and after any occurrence that could affect safe use |
| Who | Not specified | A competent person |
| Defective ladder | Tagged "Dangerous: Do Not Use" or similar and removed from service until repaired or replaced | Marked as defective or tagged "Do Not Use" or similar, and withdrawn from service until repaired |
| Rule | 1910.23(b)(9)–(10) | 1926.1053(b)(15)–(16) |
The full comparison, including fixed ladders, is in ladder inspection requirements.
How to do the check
- Read the label first. Check the ladder's type and duty rating against the person plus everything they'll carry. OSHA's "maximum intended load" includes "the total load (weight and force) of the employee and all tools, equipment, and materials being carried" (note to 1910.23(c)(3)).
- Sight down each rail for bends and twists, then look along it for cracks, splits and dents.
- Grab each rung or step and try to twist it. None should move.
- Check rivets, bolts and braces, then the feet and pads.
- For a stepladder, open it fully, check the spreaders lock, and stand it on level ground to see if it rocks.
- For an extension ladder, raise the fly a few rungs, check the rung locks engage on both sides, and look at the rope and pulley.
- Wipe off oil, grease or mud before anyone climbs. Construction rules say ladders "shall be maintained free of oil, grease, and other slipping hazards" (1926.1053(b)(2)).
The defects that take it out of service
| Defect | Why it fails |
|---|---|
| Cracked, split, bent or broken rail | The ladder can buckle under load |
| Missing, loose, bent or cracked rung or step | A foot can slip or the rung can give way |
| Spreader won't lock | A stepladder can fold while you're on it |
| Rung lock won't engage | The fly section can drop |
| Missing or worn-through feet | The ladder can slide out at the base |
| Corroded components | Construction rules name corrosion as a structural defect |
| Missing or unreadable labels | You can't confirm its duty rating |
| Wooden ladder painted over | OSHA bars coatings "that may obscure structural defects" (1910.23(b)(5)) |
What to do when something fails
Tag it and take it away the moment you find the defect. In general industry, any ladder with structural or other defects "is immediately tagged 'Dangerous: Do Not Use' or with similar language... and removed from service until repaired... or replaced" (1910.23(b)(10)). A DO NOT USE tag tied to a rung does the job. Damaged rails are rarely worth repairing; most manufacturers say to replace the ladder, and to destroy it so nobody takes it out of the dumpster. See what to do when equipment fails inspection.
Keeping the record
OSHA's ladder rules don't require a written record of the inspection. A dated record still shows the shift's first check happened, and in construction it's how the competent person shows "periodic" means something. See ladder inspection requirements and equipment inspection record keeping.
A numbered QR sticker on the rail beside the manufacturer's label replaces the paper ladder inspection tag. Whoever takes the ladder scans it with their own phone and does the check, and a cracked rail reaches you as an email with a photo. CheckBadges also shows the open problem to anyone else who scans that ladder until it's fixed or replaced. See QR code equipment checklists.
Skip the clipboard
Put this ladder inspection checklist on a QR sticker.
- Operators scan the sticker with their own phone's camera. No app, account or password.
- Anything marked Problem emails you right away, with photos, and warns the next operator.
- Every check is saved by machine with who did it and when. Print one or export a CSV.
Free for 3 machines. Every item above is already filled in — edit anything. No card.
Ladder 1
Ladder inspection checklist
Frequently asked questions
How often does OSHA require ladders to be inspected?
In general industry, "before initial use in each work shift, and more frequently as necessary" (29 CFR 1910.23(b)(9)). In construction, "by a competent person for visible defects on a periodic basis and after any occurrence that could affect their safe use" (29 CFR 1926.1053(b)(15)).
Who can inspect a ladder?
The general industry rule doesn't say who, so in practice the person using it does the pre-shift check. In construction, OSHA requires the periodic inspection to be done by a competent person.
What should you do with a damaged ladder?
Tag it immediately with "Dangerous: Do Not Use" or similar and remove it from service until it's repaired or replaced (29 CFR 1910.23(b)(10)). In construction, mark it as defective or tag it "Do Not Use" and withdraw it from service (1926.1053(b)(16)).
Do ladder inspections need to be documented?
OSHA's ladder rules don't require a written record. Many employers keep one anyway, because it's the only way to show the inspections were done.
What is a ladder's duty rating?
The maximum load the ladder is designed to carry, shown on its label. It has to cover you plus your tools and materials: OSHA's maximum intended load includes "the total load (weight and force) of the employee and all tools, equipment, and materials being carried."
Can you paint a wooden ladder?
Not with anything that could hide defects: OSHA says wooden ladders must not be "coated with any material that may obscure structural defects" (29 CFR 1910.23(b)(5)).
Keep reading
- Ladder inspection requirementsOSHA requires ladders to be inspected before first use each shift in general industry, and periodically by a competent person in construction. What to check.
- Harness inspection checklistFree fall protection harness inspection checklist: webbing, stitching, D-rings, buckles, labels, lanyard or SRL, shock pack and connectors, before each use.
- Scaffold inspection checklistFree daily scaffold inspection checklist for the competent person: footing, plumb, bracing, planking, guardrails, access, ties and power line clearance.
- Out-of-service tag makerPrint DANGER – DO NOT OPERATE and OUT OF SERVICE tags for defective equipment. Fill in the machine, problem and date, or leave blanks. Free, no signup.
- FacilitiesFacility equipment inspection checklists on QR codes for lifts, ladders, scrubbers, generators, extinguishers and eyewash. Staff scan with their phone; no app.
- ConstructionConstruction equipment inspections on a QR sticker per machine. Operators and subs scan with their own phone, no app or login. Defects email you with photos.
Do your ladder checks by QR code.
Stick a QR code on every machine and operators do the pre-use check on their own phone — no app, no login. Free for up to 3 machines; try it with your real machines before you sign up.