Ladder Inspections
Documented workplace ladder and stepladder inspections with clear asset records, condition findings and practical reporting.
Workplace ladder inspections for commercial sites
Ladders and stepladders need to be suitable for the task, maintained in a safe condition and checked for defects. A recorded detailed visual inspection helps employers, facilities teams and property managers identify deterioration and demonstrate that workplace access equipment is being managed.
Our service gives each ladder a clear asset reference, records the condition found on the inspection date and highlights any item that requires action or should be removed from use.
What a ladder inspection can include
- Asset number, ladder type and site location
- Manufacturer and identification details where visible
- Condition of stiles, rungs, treads and ladder feet
- Checks of hinges, locking bars, stays, platforms and spreaders where fitted
- Accessible fixings, rivets, welds, ropes, pulleys and end stops where applicable
- Signs of bends, twists, cracks, corrosion, contamination or unauthorised repairs
- Condition of safety labels and manufacturer markings where present
- Inspection outcome and recorded observations
- Identification of items requiring removal from use or further action
- Digital inspection records for workplace and facilities files
Pre-use checks and detailed inspections
A pre-use check should be completed by the person using the ladder to identify obvious defects before work begins. These routine checks are different from a recorded detailed visual inspection carried out at suitable intervals.
The detailed inspection provides a documented snapshot of the ladder’s condition and helps create a useful history across repeat visits. It does not replace the user’s responsibility to check equipment before use.
How often should ladders be inspected?
There is no single fixed interval that suits every workplace ladder. The inspection schedule should take account of the manufacturer’s instructions, how frequently the equipment is used, the environment, how it is transported or stored, previous findings and the organisation’s risk assessment.
Equipment exposed to heavy use, harsh conditions or frequent movement may need more frequent inspection. A ladder should also be checked following an event that could have affected its safety, such as being dropped, struck, overloaded or damaged during transport.
What happens after the inspection?
The inspection record identifies the ladder, the condition found and the outcome. Where a significant defect is identified, the ladder should be clearly identified and removed from use until the responsible person decides whether it can be appropriately repaired or needs replacing.
The inspection does not automatically include repairs and it does not confirm that a ladder is suitable for every possible task. The employer or person controlling the work must still select suitable equipment and ensure work at height is properly planned.
Commercial and multi-site programmes
Inspections can be arranged for schools, care settings, landlords, facilities teams, warehouses, offices, contractors and other organisations managing multiple ladders. Records can be organised by site and asset number to make recurring inspections easier to manage.
Need workplace ladders inspected?
Tell us approximately how many ladders and stepladders you manage, their locations and whether you need a one-off inspection or recurring programme.
Request a Ladder Inspection QuoteHow it works
A clear inspection process from asset list to report.
Confirm equipment
Review site locations, approximate quantities, ladder types and existing records.
Identify assets
Record each ladder and match it to a clear asset or location reference.
Inspect condition
Complete the detailed visual inspection and record relevant defects or limitations.
Issue records
Provide the agreed inspection results and clearly highlight items requiring action.
Ladder Inspection FAQs
Common questions about workplace ladder inspections
Useful information for employers, facilities teams and organisations managing ladders and stepladders.
How often should workplace ladders be inspected?
There is no single interval suitable for every ladder. The schedule should reflect the manufacturer’s instructions, frequency of use, working environment, previous findings and the employer’s risk assessment. Equipment exposed to harsher conditions or frequent use may need checking more often.
Are pre-use checks the same as a recorded ladder inspection?
No. A pre-use check is completed by the user before use to identify obvious defects. A detailed visual inspection is completed at suitable intervals and recorded, providing a condition history for the employer.
What types of ladder can be included?
The agreed inspection list can include common portable leaning ladders, stepladders, extension ladders and other workplace ladder types. Specialist access equipment may require a different inspection approach, which should be identified when arranging the work.
What defects do you look for?
Checks can cover damaged or worn feet, bent or twisted stiles, cracked or loose rungs, damaged hinges or locking mechanisms, missing components, corrosion, contamination, damaged fixings and unsuitable repairs.
What happens if a ladder fails inspection?
The defect and inspection outcome are recorded. The ladder should be clearly identified and removed from use until the responsible person decides whether it should be appropriately repaired or replaced.
Do inspections include ladder repairs?
No. Inspection and reporting do not automatically include repairs. Any repair or replacement requirement is recorded so the responsible person can arrange the appropriate action.
Will each ladder have an individual record?
Yes. The agreed report can identify each ladder by asset number or location and record its type, inspection date, condition, outcome and relevant observations.
Can you inspect ladders across multiple sites?
Yes. Inspections can be organised by site and asset number, helping customers maintain consistent records and recurring schedules across several properties.