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Ladder Inspection Checklist: Pre-Use Checks and Safe Set-Up

Frequency
Before each use
Completed by
Ladder user
Approved by
Supervisor
The checklist
24 checks · 4 sections

A ladder inspection checklist is the quick check the person about to use a ladder makes before climbing: stiles, feet, rungs, locking bars and stepladder platform, then whether the ladder is set up safely for the job. A ladder that fails a check is taken out of use until it is repaired or replaced.

In the United States, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.23(b)(9) requires ladders to be inspected before initial use in each work shift, and defective ladders must be tagged "Dangerous: Do Not Use" and removed from service. In the UK, HSE asks the user to do a pre-use check at the start of the working day and after anything changes, such as the ladder being dropped. In Türkiye, the Work Equipment Regulation allows ladders for work at height only where the risk is low or the job is short, and sets rules for secure footing, anti-slip measures and handholds.

If the job is long or the risk is not low, use a platform or scaffold instead. See our working at height checklist for choosing the right equipment.

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How to use this checklist

  1. Check the ladder at the start of the working day, before each new use, and whenever something changes: it was dropped, moved from a dirty area or left outside.
  2. Do the condition checks with the ladder on the ground, then set it up and complete the set-up checks before climbing.
  3. Mark each check Pass, Fail or N/A and photograph any defect.
  4. If a critical check fails, do not climb: label the ladder "Dangerous: Do Not Use", take it out of use and tell your supervisor.
  5. Keep the completed checklist with the ladder register.

The checklist: Ladder Inspection Checklist: Pre-Use Checks and Safe Set-Up

Inspection details

Site / area: 
Ladder ID: 
Ladder type: 
Material: 
Date and time: 

Condition (ladder on the ground)

  1. 1.

    Stiles are straight and undamaged, with no cracks, dents or bendsCritical

    Ref.: [3]

    PassFailN/A
  2. 2.

    All feet are present, not worn or damaged, and cleanCritical

    Missing or worn feet can let the ladder slip.

    Ref.: [3] [1]

    PassFailN/A
  3. 3.

    Rungs or steps are level, evenly spaced, and none are bent, worn, loose or missingCritical

    Ref.: [3] [2]

    PassFailN/A
  4. 4.

    Rungs and steps are slip-resistant and free of oil, paint, mud or ice

    Ref.: [2] [3]

    PassFailN/A
  5. 5.

    Locking bars, spreaders and catches work and lock fullyCritical

    Ref.: [3] [2]

    PassFailN/A
  6. 6.

    Stepladder platform is not split or buckledCritical

    Mark N/A for leaning ladders.

    Ref.: [3]

    PassFailN/A
  7. 7.

    Wooden ladder is not painted or coated in a way that hides defects

    Mark N/A for metal and fibreglass ladders.

    Ref.: [2]

    PassFailN/A
  8. 8.

    The maximum load label is present and legible

    Ref.: [2]

    PassFailN/A

Set-up (before climbing)

  1. 9.

    A ladder is suitable for this job: low risk and short durationCritical

    Otherwise use a mobile platform or scaffold.

    Ref.: [1] [2]

    PassFailN/A
  2. 10.

    The ladder stands on firm, level ground with the rungs horizontalCritical

    Ref.: [1] [2]

    PassFailN/A
  3. 11.

    The ladder is secured against slipping: tied at the top, footed, or fitted with an anti-slip deviceCritical

    Ref.: [1] [2]

    PassFailN/A
  4. 12.

    It is not standing on boxes, pallets or other unstable bases, and sections are not tied together for extra lengthCritical

    Ref.: [2]

    PassFailN/A
  5. 13.

    A leaning ladder rests on both stiles at the topCritical

    Mark N/A for stepladders.

    Ref.: [2]

    PassFailN/A
  6. 14.

    When used for access, the ladder extends far enough above the landing for a safe step-offCritical

    OSHA: at least 3 ft (0.9 m) above the upper landing.

    Ref.: [1] [2]

    PassFailN/A
  7. 15.

    A stepladder is fully opened and its spreaders are lockedCritical

    Mark N/A for leaning ladders.

    Ref.: [2] [3]

    PassFailN/A
  8. 16.

    A ladder in a doorway, passageway or driveway is secured or barricaded off

    Ref.: [2]

    PassFailN/A

Safe use

  1. 17.

    The user faces the ladder and always keeps one hand on it

    Ref.: [2] [1]

    PassFailN/A
  2. 18.

    No tools or materials are carried that could upset the user's balance

    Ref.: [2] [1]

    PassFailN/A
  3. 19.

    The top step and cap of a stepladder are not used as steps

    Ref.: [2]

    PassFailN/A
  4. 20.

    The ladder is not moved, shifted or extended while someone is on itCritical

    Ref.: [2] [1]

    PassFailN/A
  5. 21.

    The user plus tools stay within the ladder's maximum load

    Ref.: [2]

    PassFailN/A

Result

  1. 22.

    If a critical check failed, the ladder is tagged "Dangerous: Do Not Use" and taken out of useCritical

    Ref.: [2]

    YesNoN/A
  2. 23.

    Every defect found has been reported to the supervisor

    Ref.: [2]

    YesNoN/A
  3. 24.

    Notes and defects found

    Note: ________

Critical check: if it fails, stop and correct it before work continues.

Sign-off

Ladder user

Name: 
Signature: 
Date: 

Supervisor

Name: 
Signature: 
Date: 

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Legal basis and references

  1. [1] Türkiye: İş Ekipmanlarının Kullanımında Sağlık ve Güvenlik Şartları Yönetmeliği (Resmî Gazete, 25.04.2013; 23.12.2025 değişikliği dahil) — Annex II 4.1.2 (when ladders may be used) and 4.2 (use of ladders).
  2. [2] United States: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.23, Ladders — (b)(9) inspection before use each shift; (b)(10) tag out defective ladders; (b)(11)–(13) climbing; (c) portable ladders.
  3. [3] United Kingdom: HSE, Safe use of ladders and stepladders: how to check a ladder is safe before use — Pre-use check by the user: stiles, feet, rungs, locking mechanism, platform, treads.

Version 1 · Updated October 24, 2026 · findrisk.net/checklists/ladder-inspection-checklist/

Frequently asked questions

How often should a ladder be inspected?

Before use. OSHA 1910.23(b)(9) requires an inspection before initial use in each work shift and more often if needed. HSE recommends a pre-use check at the start of the working day and after anything changes, for example if the ladder is dropped or moved from a dirty area to a clean one.

Who should do the ladder pre-use check?

The person who is about to use the ladder. HSE guidance says the pre-use check is done by the user. The checklist is short so it can be done every time without slowing the job down.

What should you do with a damaged ladder?

Take it out of use straight away. OSHA 1910.23(b)(10) requires a defective ladder to be tagged "Dangerous: Do Not Use" or similar and removed from service until it is repaired. Do not try a temporary fix.

How far should a ladder extend above the landing?

OSHA 1910.23(c)(11) requires the side rails to extend at least 3 feet (0.9 m) above the upper landing when the ladder is used for access. The Turkish Work Equipment Regulation says the ladder must extend far enough above the platform for a safe step-off unless there is another handhold.

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