HSA Ladder Safety Checklist Template

Ladders can be dangerous if used improperly or if defects are not found. Across almost all industries, workers on site have to use ladders. To prevent accidents and falls, establishments must have a proper Ladder Safety Checklist used by workers that thoroughly inspects ladders and includes the following items:

Planning, General Information, Intended Use

Planning is crucial, especially for the type of ladder that's going to be used. Using the wrong ladder can lead to workers performing inefficiently and also put them at risk. Planning is also the part where a risk assessment should be conducted. Risk assessments provide the appropriate control measures for all the activities done with ladders. Checking for the correct ladder to be used and the risk assessment ensures that all the necessary safety measures are there, which helps maintain safety in the work area.

Pre-use Visual Check

Before commencing an activity involved with ladders, a pre-visual check should be conducted. This check is crucial for detecting defects that could pose a risk for the safety of the workers. This also verifies that the ladder provided is the one that was decided upon during the planning phase. This pre-use visual check double-checks for defective or wrong ladders.

Set-up and positioning

A ladder's position and setup play a huge role in its stability. Constant inspection of its setup and position assures that the ladder doesn’t tip off when a worker is using it. Managers or field supervisors should constantly be vigilant, especially when working in areas where the ground is uneven or slippery.

Maintenance, using maintenance inspection checklists – apart from a Ladder Safety Checklist

Providing timely maintenance ensures that the equipment is always in its optimum condition. When used, poorly maintained equipment, like ladders, can result in recurring problems and defects that pose risks and put workers in danger. Verifying if the ladder has undergone constant maintenance can prevent placing workers in dangerous situations.

Competency of users and personnel qualification

Aside from inspecting the equipment, workers who are involved in using a ladder should also be evaluated. It must be made sure that these personnel are knowledgeable about the activity that involves ladders and must have undergone safety training when employing ladders. Those who know the risks are more alert to their health and safety, which encourages them to follow safety rules.