Department of Energy (DOE) OSH Technical Reference

Chapter 9 - Portable Ladders

Appendix A. - Portable Ladders Safety Checklist

This safety checklist will help employees and supervisors follow minimal safety practices. This list is not meant to be comprehensive, nor is it meant to form part of any official self-assessment practice. Where appropriate, local safety offices and supervisors are encouraged to add to these checklists. All ladders should meet the standard requirements of OSHA 29 CFR 1910 and 1926. Compliance with the design standards is verified by checking tags or stamps on each ladder. Relevant references are noted after each question.

Do all ladders meet the requirements of 29 CFR         -----     -----------
1910.25/26 and/or ANSI A14.5-1974? (Compliance with
cited standards can be verified by checking tags
or stamps on each ladder.)                    
29 CFR 1910.25

Are all portable ladders equipped with nonslip bases?  -----     -----------                 
AFOSH Std 127-3, para 4 b

Are all ladders that are used for electrical work
constructed of non conductive materials?               -----     -----------
AFOSH Std 127-3, para 4 c

Are ladders maintained in good usable condition?       -----     -----------
29 CFR 1910.26 (c) (2) (iv)

Are ladders properly stored when not in use?           -----     -----------
AFOSH Std 127-3, par a 4 d (2)

Are defective ladders removed from service until
repaired or if necessary destroyed?                    -----     -----------
29 CFR 1910.25 (d) (2) (viii)

Is only one person allowed on a ladder at a time?
(Exception:  More than one person is allowed on a
ladder when jacks with scaffold planking are used
in conjunction with ladders capable of supporting 225  -----     -----------
pounds [102 kilograms] or more.)                       
29 CFR 1910.26 (c) (3) (ii)

Is it prohibited to place ladders on boxes,
barrels, or surfaces with unstable bases?              -----     -----------
29 CFR 1910.25 (d) (2) (v)

Are employees instructed on the proper way to
ascend/descend ladders?                                -----     -----------
29 CFR 1910.26 (c) (3) (v)

Are employees instructed not to stand above the
fourth rung/step from the top of a straight ladder?    -----     -----------
AFOSH Std 127-3, para 4 d (22)

Have ladders been checked for loose steps or rungs,
serviceable nonslip bases, and noticeable defects,
such as cracks, broken braces, and split rungs?        -----     -----------
29 CFR 1910.25 (b) (1) (i)

Are the ropes on extension ladders in good condition?  -----     -----------
29 CFR 1910.25 (d) (1) (iii)

Are all portable metal ladders stenciled with the
warning "DANGER DO NOT USE AROUND ELECTRICAL
EQUIPMENT" in 2-inch (5 centimeters) red letters or
smaller if necessary to fit on the rails?              -----     -----------
AFOSH Std 127-3, para 4 c

Are all ladders kept clean and free of oil or grease
to limit conductivity of electric current?             -----     -----------
AFOSH Std 127-3, para 4 c

Are ladders strapped or tied to support racks on
vehicles to prevent damage from road shock?            -----     -----------
AFOSH Std 127-3, para 4 d (3)

Is regular lubrication of metal bearings, locks,
or pulleys on ladders performed?                       -----     -----------
29 CFR 1910.25 (d) (1) (ii)

Are safety feet and other auxiliary equipment on
portable ladders in good condition?                    -----     -----------
29 CFR 1910.25 (d) (1) (iv)

Have users inspected ladders that have been subject
to unusual circumstances, such as excessive heat
or fires?                                              -----     -----------
AFOSH Std, para 4 d (9) (b)

Have nonskid coatings been applied to metal ladder
rungs or steps that are not corrugated, knurled, or
dimpled in design?                                     -----     -----------
29 CFR 1910.26 (a) (1) (v)

Are the bottoms of non-self-supporting (straight)
ladders placed so that the distance from the base
of the vertical support is one-fourth the working
length of the ladder?                                  -----     -----------
29 CFR 1910.25 (d) (2) (i)

Are straight ladders placed so they extend 3 feet
(7.5 centimeters) (minimum) above the roof line
or other work surface?                                 -----     ----------- 
29 CFR 1910.25 (d) (2) (xv)

Are procedures established to ensure that ladders
are not placed in front of doors that open toward
the ladders unless the doors are locked, blocked,
or otherwise guarded?                                  -----     -----------
29 CFR 1910.25 (d) (2)(iv)

Are sections of extension ladders totaling less
than 36 feet (11 meters) overlapping by at least
3 feet (9.1 meters)?                                   -----     -----------
AFOSH Std 127-3, para d (12)

Are workers instructed not to stand above the
second step from the top of any self-supporting
step ladder? (The top plate or table is not a step,
except on those ladders designed with a work platform
at the top, such as ware house ladders.)               -----     -----------
AFOSH Std 127-3, para e (22).

Have ladders been checked for loose nails, screws,
bolts, or other projecting metal parts?                -----     -----------
29 CFR 1910.25 (d) (1) (i)

AFOSH = Air Force Occupational Health and Safety Manual
29 CFR = Code of Federal Regulations Title 29