What to pay attention to when inspecting fixed ladders?

Fixed ladders need to be inspected regularly. These include dock ladders, wall ladders, and cage ladders, sometimes called warehouse ladders or fixed roof ladders. Regardless of the name or type, if you use a fixed ladder on or in a building, you should check it regularly.

When you inspect this type of ladder, you need to know what to look for. When inspecting fixed ladders, you need to pay attention to the following points.

Anything you can see is out of order.

Before climbing any fixed ladder, a visual inspection should be performed. Always look for malfunctions that may cause injury. You don't want to regret about climbing halfway.

Look for slippery objects on steps or anything you will grasp with your hands. You should also look for any protrusions that might cause cuts or puncture the skin. These can also snatch your clothes and cause problems.

It is also important to look for wasps or beehives visually. If you happen to bump into one midway while climbing, these may cause interference.

You should also look for loose or missing hardware, broken rails, rust, or other signs of problems. If you find any problems, it may be a structural problem that makes the ladder unsafe to use.

Check the height.

OSHA has issued an update to the safety regulations for ladders, and you want to make sure that your fixed ladder meets the requirements. If your ladder is higher than 24 feet, you will need a personal fall arrest system or ladder safety system to comply with OSHA regulations.

In addition to having the correct safety system, you and anyone else who uses the ladder need to be trained to use the safety system correctly.

Be sure to check before using any fixed ladder. More thorough inspections should also be performed on a regular basis, but at least be sure to perform a visual inspection before each use.