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Employees should conduct inspections for general ladder safety for all portable ladder types by checking the followings:

Ladders should not have any damage, lack of structural integrity, missing components or loose parts. Warning: Damaged or worn ladders should be destroyed.

• The steps or rungs must be tight and secure to the side rails.
• All fittings need to be properly and securely attached.
• Movable parts must be tested to see that they operate without binding or without too much free play.
• All labels should be intact and readable.
• Ladders shall be free of oil, grease, or slippery materials.
• A ladder that has been exposed to fire or strong chemicals should be discarded.
• All accessories such as leg levelers, paint shelves, stand-off shelves, etc. are in good condition.
• The ladder base shall be placed on a secure and level footing. When necessary, ladder levelers shall be used to achieve equal rail support on uneven surfaces.
• The ladder base must have the slip resistant material.

While inspecting extensions ladders you need to make sure that:

• Ropes and pulleys are in good condition.
• Ladder extension locks move freely and lock correctly
• Rung locks are on the rails of the top section to ensure the top section will not fall.
• Extension guide brackets are secure and in place