PORTABLE WOOD LADDER SAFETY CHECKLIST
Equipment Standards for Wood Ladders
YES
NO
N/A
Wood parts of ladders must:
 Be kept free of sharp edges and splinters.
 Be sound and free from accepted visual inspection from
shake, wane, compression failures, decay or other
irregularities.
 Not be made of low density wood.
Stepladders longer than 20 feet may not be supplied and must be 1 of 3 types:
 Type I: Industrial stepladder, 3 to 20 feet for heavy duty,
such as for utilities, contractors, and industrial use.
 Type II: Commercial stepladder, 3 to 12 feet for medium
duty, such as for painters, offices, and light industrial use.
 Type III - Household stepladder, 3 to 6 feet for light duty,
such as for light household use.
Each stepladder must have a metal spreader or locking device of
sufficient size and strength to securely hold the front and back
sections in open positions. The spreader must have all sharp
points covered or removed to protect the user. For Type III
ladder, the pail shelf and spreader may be combined in one unit
(the so-called shelf-lock ladder).
Comment:
Wood Ladder Care and Maintenance
YES
Ladders must be maintained in good condition at all times, the
joint between the steps and side rails must be tight, all hardware
and fittings securely attached and the movable parts must
operate freely without binding or undue play.
Metal bearings of locks, wheels, pulleys, etc., must be frequently
lubricated.
NO
N/A
Frayed or badly worn rope shall be replaced.
Safety feet and other auxiliary equipment shall be kept in good
condition to insure proper performance.
Ladders must be inspected frequently and those which have
developed defects must be withdrawn from service for repair or
destruction and tagged or marked as "Dangerous, Do Not Use."
Rungs must be kept free of grease and oil.
Comments:
Wood Ladder Use Requirements
YES
“Where possible,” portable rung and cleat ladders must be used
at such a pitch that the horizontal distance from the top support
to the foot of the ladder is 1/4 of the working length of the
ladder (the length along the ladder between the foot and the top
support).
The ladder must be placed as to prevent slipping, lashed or held
in position. Ladders may not be used in a horizontal position as
platforms, runways, or scaffolds.
Ladders subject to specific dimensions requirements may not be
used by more than one person at a time nor used with ladder
jacks and scaffold planks where use by more than one man is
anticipated.
Portable ladders must be placed so that the side rails have a
secure footing.
The top rest for portable rung and cleat ladders must be
reasonably rigid and strong enough to support the applied load.
Ladders can’t be placed in front of doors opening toward the
ladder unless the door is blocked, locked or guarded.
Ladders can’t be placed on boxes, barrels or other unstable bases
to make them higher.
Ladders may not be used if they have broken or missing steps,
rungs or cleats, broken side rails or other faulty equipment unless
and until proper—not improvised—repairs are made.
NO
N/A
Short ladders may not be spliced together to provide long
sections.
Ladders made by fastening cleats across a single rail may not be
used.
Ladders may not be used as guys, braces, or skids or for other
than their intended use.
Tops of the ordinary types of stepladders may not be used as
steps.
Minimum overlap on two-section extension ladders must be:
Ladder Size (feet)
Up to and including 36
Over 36 up to and including 48
Over 48 up to and including 60
Overlap (feet)
3
4
5
Portable rung ladders with reinforced rails must be used only
with the metal reinforcement on the under-side.
No ladder may be used to gain access to a roof unless the top of
the ladder extends at least 3 feet above the point of support, at
eave, gutter or roofline.
Middle and top sections of sectional or window cleaner's ladders
may not be used for bottom section unless they’re furnished
equipped with safety shoes.
Users must equip portable rung ladders with nonslip bases if a
slipping hazard exists—nonslip bases are not a substitute for
careful placement.
The bracing on the back legs of step ladders can’t be used for
climbing.
Comments: