| Portable Ladders | |
| Are all ladders maintained in good condition, joints between steps and side rails tight, all hardware and fittings securely attached, and moveable parts operating freely without binding or undue play? | |
| Are non-slip safety feet provided on each metal or rung ladder, and are ladder rungs and steps free of grease and oil? | |
| Are employees prohibited from placing a ladder in front of doors opening toward the ladder unless the door is blocked open, locked, or guarded? | |
| Are employees prohibited from placing ladders on boxes, barrels, or other unstable bases to obtain additional height? | |
| Are employees required to face the ladder when ascending or descending? | |
| Are employees prohibited from using ladders that are broken, have missing steps, rungs, or cleats, broken side rails, or other faulty equipment? | |
| Are employees instructed not to use the top step of ordinary stepladders as a step? | |
| When portable rung ladders are used to gain access to elevated platforms, roofs, etc., does the ladder always extend at least 3 feet (0.9144 meters) above the elevated surface? | |
| Are employees required to secure the base of a portable rung or cleat type ladder to prevent slipping, or otherwise lash or hold it in place? | |
| Are portable metal ladders legibly marked with signs reading "CAUTION - Do Not Use Around Electrical Equipment" or equivalent wording? | |
| Are employees prohibited from using ladders as guys, braces, skids, gin poles, or for other than their intended purposes? | |
| Are employees instructed to only adjust extension ladders while standing at a base (not while standing on the ladder or from a position above the ladder)? | |
| Are metal ladders inspected for damage? | |
| Are the rungs of ladders uniformly spaced at 12 inches (30.48 centimeters) center to center? | |
| Are there other issues? | |
Information courtesy of the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration.
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