Ladders and Stairways Safety Program

Chapter Section

Inspection

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.

• Ladder rungs must be uniformly spaced or meet OSHA/ANSI specifications. Ladder rungs, cleats, and steps shall be parallel, level, and uniformly spaced, when the ladder is in position for use.
• Portable and fixed ladders with structural defects, such as, but not limited to, broken or missing rungs, cleats, or steps, broken or split rails, corroded components, or other faulty or defective components, shall either be immediately marked in a manner that readily identifies them as defective, or be tagged with “Do Not Use” or similar language, and shall be withdrawn from service until repaired
• If a ladder is tipped over, it shall be inspected by a competent person for side rail dents or bends, or excessively dented rungs; check all rung to side rail connections; check hardware connections; check rivets for shears.
• Ladders with broken or missing steps, rungs, or cleats, broken side rails, or other faulty equipment shall not be used; improvised repairs shall not be made.
• All wood parts shall be free from sharp edges and splinters; sound and not painted.