Falls remain one of the most persistent safety challenges in construction and general industry. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Fall Protection – General Requirements continues to rank as the most frequently cited OSHA standard. Ladder-related violations also appear on OSHA’s annual Top 10 list each year, and falls from elevation remain a leading cause of serious injury and death in construction.
March is National Ladder Safety Month, sponsored by the American Ladder Institute (ALI). We thought this would be a great time to explore the condition of the ladder itself, which often receives less attention than things like training and proper ladder setup.
The Hazard Often Exists Before the Climb
Many ladder incidents can be traced back to conditions that were present before the ladder was ever used.
Common issues include:
Most of these defects can be identified during a thorough pre-use inspection. In fact, most are before anyone climbs. A consistent inspection process is one of the most effective ways to keep damaged equipment out of circulation.
What a Meaningful Inspection Includes
ALI’s inspection and maintenance guidance is a helpful resource outlining key components that should be evaluated before each use. These include:
This inspection and maintenance process is straightforward. But where crews often miss is handling this process consistently.
On busy jobsites, ladders are constantly being moved, shared between crews, and used for quick tasks throughout the day. A ladder that was in good condition in the morning may be dropped off a truck, dragged across concrete, or leaned against sharp edges before the next use.
For example, it is not uncommon for a crew to grab a ladder to check a connection or adjust ductwork above a ceiling grid. The ladder may have been used earlier by another trade. Without a quick inspection, issues such as bent rungs, worn feet, or spreaders that no longer lock properly can easily go unnoticed. A ladder can look perfectly normal and still have an issue that creates risk. Taking a moment to inspect it before use can be what keeps a small equipment problem from turning into an incident.
What happens when you identify a defect? The ladder should be removed from service immediately. Temporary fixes or informal repairs can lead to bigger issues as they could introduce additional hazards if they are not approved by the manufacturer.
If you’re looking for a practical reference, the American Ladder Institute provides an inspection and maintenance flyer as part of National Ladder Safety Month. This is a simple and helpful resource to share with crews and supervisors to help reinforce inspection expectations.
Where Inspection Programs Break Down
When inspections slip through the cracks, it is often because the process is not clear or consistent.
Teams may assume a ladder is fine because it was used earlier in the day. Damaged ladders sometimes remain in circulation because there is no clear tagging or removal procedure. Replacement may take time, which leads people to work around equipment issues instead of addressing them.
Over time, worn equipment can become normal. For example, the ladder may just look used, as opposed to appearing unsafe. This is often where preventable incidents begin.
Operational Impact of a Ladder Failure
A ladder-related injury affects more than the individual involved. On construction and industrial projects, even a single fall can disrupt work and shift attention away from production.
Potential impacts include:
Inspection is one of the lowest-cost risk controls available. It requires structure and reinforcement, but it does not require significant capital investment.
Strengthening Ladder Inspection in the Field
Take a practical approach to improving ladder inspections. Here are some tips to get started.
Ladder Permits
Know that many project sites in our region and throughout the US will limit ladder usage and specifically “working off of ladders” and will now require a Ladder Permit. Consult with your safety management team and general contractor folks first before you bring all the ladders to the site.
Before the First Step
Many ladder hazards can be identified before the ladder is ever used. When inspections are treated as a regular part of the workday, damaged equipment is more likely to be caught before it creates risk.
National Ladder Safety Month is a good reminder that inspection and maintenance are foundational safety practices.
Looking to strengthen ladder safety on your job sites or at your facility?
SCT supports construction and industrial teams with a range of safety training for your teams, including ladder and fall protection training. Check out our safety training courses.