This policy procedure sets out how ladders are risk assessed, inspected, recorded and stored, who may use them and the checks to make when inspecting a ladder.

Effective Policy Templates

This policy template is supplied in fully editable MS Word format and can be easily customised and edited. The document uses pre-defined style formatting throughout, with all text in Calibri font for improved readability.
The following document labelling is included in the footer:

• Policy number and title
• Information-classification
• Version
• Page number / total pages

alphaZ documents - beautifully designed, tried and tested policy templates. No junk, jargon or unnecessary content. Simple and usable policy templates developed over 25 years through practical use in the real world.

Further Reading

Further guidance on ladder safety:

• Management and Use of Ladders
• Working at Height
• Management of Work Equipment
• Managing Equipment and Premises knowledge base

Logo Update Service *

Download this policy with your company name and logo already added!
Document Preparation available with all document toolkits.

How to Download

To get access to this file please click on Add to Cart to purchase for immediate download. If you have an alphaZ Subscription just click on Download Files to view all the files available to download.

Need Help Implementing?

If you'd like hands-on help setting up your ladder inspection and record keeping arrangements, our remote support services provide direct expert input from our team, by the day, by project, or on an ongoing basis.

Safe Use of Ladders Policy Procedure Template

The Safe Use of Ladders Policy Procedure is a Word template that sets out how a business manages the safe use of ladders in the workplace. It covers managing the risk, pre-use and periodic inspection, quarantine of unsafe ladders, storage, training and competence, and rules for ladders used to reach another level, with guidance on what to check during an inspection.

It applies wherever ladders are used or stored, with Title, File Location, Issue No, Issue Date, Controlled By and Approved By fields, an Amendment Record and a Business Use information classification in the footer.

What the Policy Covers

• Amendment record, summary, scope and applicability - the control note on amendments, the purpose of the policy, its scope wherever ladders are used or stored and who must follow it
• Management of risk - the risks from ladder use, risk assessments covering ladders and working at height, and passing control measures on through training
• Management of ladders - pre-use checks, recorded periodic inspections, repairs, quarantine of unsafe ladders, inspection dates on the register and safe storage after use
• Ladder inspection guidance - the checks to make on a ladder, including rungs, feet, uprights and braces, rust and corrosion, moving parts, locks, ropes and hinges
• Training and competence - ladders used only by trained, competent workers who are aware of the general and job specific risk assessments before use
• Ladders used for access - tying access ladders and extending them at least 1m above the landing point, self-closing gates, and limits on using stepladders for access

Built for Ladder Inspection and Control

• Every ladder checked before use, with periodic inspections carried out and recorded
• Unsafe or unchecked ladders removed from site or clearly marked as quarantined and not for use
• An inspection checklist covering rungs, feet, uprights, braces, corrosion, moving parts, locks and hinges
• Ladders stored in designated areas and never left out after use
• Only trained, competent workers use ladders, aware of the risk assessments that apply

Who Needs a Safe Use of Ladders Policy Procedure?

Any business whose workers use ladders or stepladders, or which stores ladders on its premises, and the managers or supervisors responsible for checking, recording and storing them.

How the Policy Fits Together

Periodic inspections can be recorded on F-Q83 Ladder Inspection Form, with inspection dates and comments logged on F-Q82 Ladder Register. Workers can be trained using TT-7-21 Safe Use of Ladders Training Talk.

Using the Policy

Edit the procedure to match your ladders and work, such as who carries out periodic inspections, where ladders are stored and the risk assessments that apply. Name the person in the Controlled By field, give it top level approval and brief everyone who uses ladders.

Related Documents

GG-7-21 Safe Use of Ladders Guidance gives further guidance on the safe use of ladders.