Educational checklist examples for safety, equipment and operational tasks — what a checklist covers, who uses it and how it connects to forms, inspections and training. Informational only — template examples to adapt, not official documents or legal advice; completing a checklist does not guarantee compliance and employers remain responsible.
What a ladder safety checklist is
A ladder safety checklist is a short list a worker runs through before using a ladder or stepladder, to confirm the ladder is sound and the set-up is safe. It is a simple way to record that ladders are checked before each use rather than assumed to be fine.
This page is an educational overview with a simplified example of what such a checklist usually covers. It is not an official template, not specific to any ladder class or jurisdiction and not legal advice — the employer decides whether a ladder is the right access choice and what the check must include.
Purpose
- Confirm the ladder is undamaged and suitable for the task before use.
- Check the set-up — angle, footing, locks and surrounding hazards.
- Record that a pre-use check was made.
- Support the decision that a ladder, rather than other access, is appropriate.
Who completes it
- The competent worker who will use the ladder, before each use.
- A supervisor where the task or height warrants extra checks.
- Damaged ladders are reported and removed from use, not repaired ad hoc.
- The employer decides who is competent and authorised to work at height.
When it is used
- Before each use of the ladder, not just once per ladder.
- After a ladder has been moved, dropped or stored outdoors.
- When the ground, weather or task changes the set-up.
- As part of any wider work-at-height assessment the employer requires.
Typical items
- Ladder ID/type, user, date and task.
- Stiles, rungs and steps free of damage, bends and cracks.
- Feet present, clean and gripping; locks and stays working on stepladders.
- Set-up: angle, firm level footing, secured or footed, clear of overhead lines.
- Defects found and action taken (e.g. tagged out of use, reported).
- These are example items only — adapt them to the ladder class, height and your risk assessment.
Common mistakes
- Using a ladder for a task that really needs a tower or platform.
- Skipping the check because “the ladder looked fine”.
- Standing a ladder on a soft, sloping or slippery base.
- Keeping a damaged ladder in service instead of removing it.
Document workflow
A ladder safety checklist follows from the work-at-height risk assessment, which decides whether a ladder is suitable at all, and is used with the task instructions. A failed check is completed after by tagging the ladder out of use and reporting it; a fall or near miss would trigger an incident report and a review of the assessment.
See the related documents below for what is commonly completed before, used with and completed after a ladder check.
Retention (high level)
Where pre-use ladder checks are recorded, employers usually keep them for a period they set, alongside ladder inspection logs, so a history is available. Specific retention periods vary by jurisdiction and type of work.
This page does not state a required period — confirm retention with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
Recorded ladder checks and inspection logs are often stored as PDFs so they can be attached to a site file or the work-at-height records. Exporting to PDF supports the record; it does not make the check official or guarantee compliance.
Employer checklist
- Confirm a ladder is the right access for the task before relying on it.
- Provide sound, suitable ladders and a clear route to report and remove damaged ones.
- Ensure users are competent to work at height and to check ladders.
- Keep pre-use checks and periodic inspection records together.
Worker notes
- Check the ladder before every use and set it up properly.
- Do not use a damaged ladder — tag it and report it.
- Raise it when a ladder is not the safe option for the job.
Country considerations
Most countries regulate work at height and the selection, inspection and use of ladders, but the detail, terminology and record-keeping rules differ, and the official authority is different in each. This page is high-level and general — it is not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee that a checklist is valid anywhere.
Always confirm the current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for assessing work at height, providing suitable access equipment, ensuring competence and for compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not certify a ladder, does not replace training and does not transfer responsibility.
Export, edit and share documents
The documents, policies and templates this involves can be exported, edited, signed, stored and shared as PDFs with the HELPERG PDF Editor.
Free, printable HR & employment resources
Practical, ungated resources to put this into action — no signup.