How to Inspect Your Ladders – A Step-by-Step Guide to Ladder Inspections

Ladders are among the most used tools on many work sites, but they are also among the most dangerous if they’re not properly maintained. Regular inspections are essential to ensure safety, compliance, and prolong the life of your ladders.

Whether you’re in construction, maintenance, warehousing or facility management, knowing how to inspect your ladders properly can prevent accidents and fines. In this article, we walk through a detailed step-by-step ladder inspection guide tailored for UK workplaces.

Why Ladder Inspections Matter

• Safety for people – A faulty ladder can fail, slipping or collapsing, leading to serious injuries.
• Legal compliance – Under UK health & safety law (e.g. Work at Height Regulations), you are required to ensure equipment is safe and maintained.
• Efficiency and cost savings – Identifying small defects early helps avoid replacing an entire ladder.
• Liability protection – Proper documentation and regular inspections protect your business if an accident occurs.

Types of Ladders You May Be Using

Understanding which type of ladder you have helps you tailor inspections:

• Step ladder
• Extension ladder (inclined or lean-to)
• Combination ladder (flip-lock, multi-position)
• Platform ladder
• Job-made or fixed ladder (e.g. on machinery or structure)

Each type has its own risk points and components to check.

When to Inspect Your Ladders

• Before use – Quick visual check every time you plan to use it.
• Periodic inspection – More thorough checks at set intervals, e.g. weekly, monthly, or annually.
• After any incident or unusual stress – After a drop, overload, or a strong impact.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Inspect Your Ladder

Here’s a step-by-step procedure you can follow to inspect your ladders. Make sure to always follow the manufacturer’s guidance as this is a generalised checklist.

1. Preparation

To prepare, start by ensuring the ladder is clean, dry, and off load. Place it somewhere with good lighting so that you can see small details, and use PPE such as gloves and eye protection as needed.

2. Overall Condition

Next, examine the ladder’s overall condition. Check for bends, twists, or warping, especially in side rails. Examine welds or joints for cracks or fatigue. Look for corrosion or rust (especially if it’s a metal ladder), and inspect for missing or damaged parts (feet, stiles, rungs).

3. Rungs/Steps

Inspect the ladder’s rungs and steps. Are the rungs straight, tight, and level? Are there any chips, cracks, or splits (especially on wooden or fibreglass ladders)? Check ends of rungs – are they properly secured? Examine its cleanliness – is there grease, oil, or mud that may cause slipping?

4. Side Rails/Stiles

Assess the ladder’s side rails – are they straight and not bowed or twisted? Are they free of cracks or splits? For metal ladders, check for dents or crumpling. Check the fasteners connecting stiles to rungs including bolts, rivets, and welds.

5. Feet & Base

Next, look at the ladder’s feet and base. Make sure non-slip feet are intact, secure, and free of excessive wear. On extension ladders, slide locks or base shoes should function properly. Rubber or plastic shoes shouldn’t be split or missing.

6. Locks, Hinges, Spreaders (for folding or multi-position ladders)

Inspect your ladder’s locks, hinges and spreaders. Make sure hinges open and close smoothly, locks fully engage, and spreader arms should be undamaged and secure.

7. Extension Mechanisms (if applicable)

If your ladder has extension mechanisms such as pulleys, ropes, ladder locks, rung locks, or sliding mechanisms, check for fraying, kinking, and damage. Ensure extension is smooth and locks hold properly.

8. Platform or Top Cap (if present)

If your ladder has a platform or top cap, make sure there is no damage or deformation. If your ladder has tool trays or platforms, check for sharp edges and stability.

9. Markings, Labels & Certification

Examine your ladder’s markings, labels and certification. The manufacturer’s name, model, and rating (max load) must be legible, and any safety warnings or usage instructions should be intact. Also check for any inspection tags or history, such as the date of last inspection or inspector initials.

10. Final Function & Stability Test

Finally, set the ladder up in its working position to test the ladder’s function and stability. To test stability, make sure there is secure footing with no wobble, the ladder has a proper angle (for lean-to/extension ladders), and that spreaders are fully locked (for stepladders). To test structural integrity, climb up the ladder a couple of rungs if it is safe to do so.

What to Do If Defects Are Found on Your Ladder

• Minor defects such as loose bolts, small rust spots, or missing labels – Schedule repair or maintenance immediately. Tag the ladder as ‘Do Not Use’ until fixed.
• Major defects such as cracked stiles, structural damage, or missing critical parts – Remove from service and arrange replacement.
• Document everything – Record the date, inspector name, what was found, and any action taken.

Ladder Inspections – Best Practices & Helpful Tips

• Keep all ladders stored properly to keep them dry, clean, and out of direct weather to prevent corrosion or warping.
• Train all staff in safe ladder use and how to do quick pre-use checks.
• Use ladders only for the work they’re designed for (load rating, environment, height).
• Never improvise – avoid makeshift ladders or unsafe modifications.
• Maintain a schedule of inspections and consider using digital record-keeping.

Inspect Your Ladders

Inspecting ladders isn’t just ticking a compliance box, it’s about keeping people safe, prolonging gear life, and protecting your business. A simple, consistent inspection process saves lives, prevents accidents, and avoids costly downtime. For businesses of all sizes, having a ladder inspection policy and ensuring all users know how to inspect properly is essential.