Is it essential for you to regularly inspect ladders in the workplace?

Organisations must manage the external environment to successfully operate. A key external force is the Government, which sets rules and regulations to ensure that employees are working in a safe manner. Using ladders within an organisation is deemed risky, therefore, it isvery importantto assess and monitor the safe use of them.

When would a ladder be needed in the workplace?

Ladders are used in situations at work where the employee needs to be operating at a higher level, such as managing stock on a high shelf in a warehouse, or cleaning windows at a height. If you are to spend more than thirty minutes on a ladder at one time, it is recommended that a long-term alternative is found.

What safety checks should be carried out before using ladders?

To adhere to government law and legislation, organisations must have protocols in place before using ladders, to ensure the safety of its employees. A thorough visual inspection of the ladders should be undertaken to check:

• The steps on the ladder could become slippery if the ladders have been left outside or near windows that have gone through condensation. The fixings on the steps should also be checked in case they have become loose, which could lead to them giving way.

• The feet of the ladder should be checked to ensure they are still attached fully to the ladder to avoid it slipping on the ground. Make sure that the feet are smooth and level when contacting the ground.

• The platform of the ladders needs to be stable to support the weight of the operator, therefore, it should be checked for any splits, cracks or buckles before use.

Any other visible defects should be checked and immediately reported to the supervisor before using the ladders.

Who should complete safety checks on ladders?

An employer is responsible for organising the visual inspection of ladders in the workplace. Usually for a larger organisation, there will be a dedicated safety officer who is in charge maintenance and servicing. In a smaller company, the Manager should provide training to all employers and delegate a suitable member of staff. Employers should carry out checks and repairs in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

How to ensure the correct maintenance of ladders is carried out?

After regularly checking and maintaining ladders it should be recorded at fixed intervals to keep on top of the safety within a workplace. Ladder Inspection labels can be used to record the dates of last inspection, next inspection and the engineer who has inspected the ladders. The ladders can also be given a specific Ladder ID number to make sure there is an organised record of safety. Pat Labels Online offers range of plain and personalised ladder inspection labels, in three different colours. Using colour coding is a great way of giving a visual reminder that the ladder maintenance is up to date.

If a ladder fails any inspection, it should be labelled to show this. Pat Labels Online offers a failed version of ladder inspection labels in red, which will give operators a quick reminder that the ladders cannot be used or need fixing/replacing.