OSHA Top Violations Training

Fire Service Safety Testing, Inc. staff are trained in 7 out of 10 of OHSA’s most frequently cited standards. Yes, OSHA requires step ladders to be inspected, but the rule is much stricter than just yearly. Per OSHA, ladders must be inspected before first use in each work shift and after any incident that could affect their safety (e.g., dropping). While annual inspections are a minimum benchmark for some standards, regular, ongoing, pre-use inspections are required.

– Occupational Safety and Health Administration (.gov)

Key OSHA Ladder Inspection Requirements:

When to Inspect: Before each use (daily/per shift) to check for visible defects.
After Incidents: Immediately check if the ladder is dropped, struck by an object, or exposed to chemicals.
Competent Person: A “competent person” must inspect ladders periodically, often recommended monthly or quarterly for high-use items, rather than just annually.
Defects: If a ladder is broken or defective, it must be immediately tagged “Do Not Use” and removed from service.

– Occupational Safety and Health Administration (.gov)