Ladders must be inspected ______ to identify any visible defects that could cause employee injury?

Ladders must be inspected ______ to identify any visible defects that could cause employee injury?

• A. Daily
• B. Weekly
• C. Monthly
• D. Before each initial use on each shift

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that ladders must be checked for visible defects right before they’re used, so any potential problems are caught before a worker climbs. Ladders can suffer damage during handling, transport, or previous use, so performing a pre-use check at the start of each shift ensures the ladder is safe for that shift. Look for cracks, bent rails or rungs, missing feet or shoes, loose or damaged hardware, and any slippery residues or other damage that could affect stability. If a defect is found, remove the ladder from service and tag it for repair. This approach prevents using a ladder that could fail and cause a fall, which is why this option—inspection before each initial use on each shift—is the best practice.

The main idea is that ladders must be checked for visible defects right before they’re used, so any potential problems are caught before a worker climbs. Ladders can suffer damage during handling, transport, or previous use, so performing a pre-use check at the start of each shift ensures the ladder is safe for that shift. Look for cracks, bent rails or rungs, missing feet or shoes, loose or damaged hardware, and any slippery residues or other damage that could affect stability. If a defect is found, remove the ladder from service and tag it for repair. This approach prevents using a ladder that could fail and cause a fall, which is why this option—inspection before each initial use on each shift—is the best practice.