It is important that access equipment is properly maintained and regularily inspected prior to use to ensure that the equipment is safe.
For this reason, particular items should be inspected and checked prior to usage. The following information details the relevant checks which should be made on ladders and steps to ensure they are safe.
If you would like an independent inspection of your access equipment please contact us for further information.
Ladder Safety Checks - Single & Multi-Section Leaning Ladders
Maintenance checks before use:- Check that the stiles, (uprights), are not bent, bowed, twisted, dented, cracked, corroded or rotten.
- Check that the stiles around the fixing points for other components are in good condition.
- Check that fixings, (usually rivets, screws or bolts), are not missing, loose, or corroded.
- Check that rungs and any corner braces are not missing, loose, excessively worn, corroded or damaged.
- Check that the rung hooks are not missing, damaged, loose or corroded and engage properly on the mating stile.
- Check that feet/end caps are not missing, loose, corroded or damaged.
- Check that the entire ladder is free from contaminants, (e.g. dirt, mud, paint, oil or grease).
- Check that locking catches, (if fitted), are not damaged or corroded and function correctly.
IMPORTANT: If any of the above checks cannot be satisfied you should NOT use the ladder.
Ladder Safety Checks - Standing Ladders
Maintenance checks before use:- Check that the front stiles, (uprights), and rear legs are not bent, bowed, twisted, dented, cracked, corroded or rotten.
- Check that the stiles/legs around the fixing point for other components are in good condition.
- Check that fixings (usually rivets, screws or bolts) are not missing, loose or corroded.
- Check that treads and any corner braces are not missing, loose, excessively worn, corroded and operate freely.
- Check that the locking stays, horizontal back rails and any corner braces or restraining straps are secure and not missing, bent, loose, corroded or damaged.
- Check that feet are not missing, loose, corroded or damaged.
- Check that the entire ladder is free from contaminants, (e.g. dirt, mud, paint, oil or grease).
- Check that the platform (if fitted) is securely attached, has no missing parts or fixings and is not damaged or corroded.
IMPORTANT: If any of the above checks cannot be fully satisfied you should NOT use the ladder.
Ladder Safety Checks - Combination Ladders
Maintenance checks before use:- Check that stiles, (uprights), are not bent, bowed, twisted, dented, cracked, corroded or rotten.
- Check that the stiles around the fixing points for other components are in good condition.
- Check that fixings (usually rivets, screws or bolts) are not missing, loose or corroded.
- Check that rungs and any corner braces are not missing, loose, excessively worn, corroded or damaged.
- Check that the rung hooks are not missing, damaged, loose or corroded and engage properly on the rungs.
- Check that guide brackets are not missing, damaged, loose or corroded and engage properly on the mating stile.
- Check that the hinges between front and rear sections in standing ladder mode are not damaged, loose or corroded and operate freely.
- Check that any locking stays, or restraining straps are secure and not missing, bent, loose, corroded or damaged.
- Check that feet/end caps are not missing, loose, excessively worn, corroded or damaged.
- Check that the entire ladder is free from contaminants, (e.g. dirt, mud, paint, oil or grease).
- Check that locking catches (if fitted) are not damaged or corroded and function correctly.
IMPORTANT: if any of the above checks cannot be fully satisfied you should NOT use the ladder.
Ladder Safety Checks - Single or Multiple Hinge Joint Ladders
Maintenance checks before use:- Check that the stiles, (uprights), and any platform are not bent, bowed, twisted, dented, cracked, corroded or rotten.
- Check that the stiles around the fixing points for other components are in good condition.
- Check that fixings (usually rivets, screws or bolts) are not missing, loose or corroded.
- Check that rungs and any corner braces are not missing, loose, excessively worn, corroded or damaged.
- Check that the entire ladder including platforms, is free from contaminants, (e.g. dirt, mud, paint, oil or grease).
- Check that all hinge locking catches and any platform locking catches are not damaged or corroded and function correctly.
IMPORTANT: If any of the above checks cannot be fully satisfied you should NOT use the ladder.
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