What is the primary purpose of ladder inspection?

• A. Identify defects that could cause injury
• B. Determine ladder load rating
• C. Ensure ladder appears clean
• D. Verify color coding

Answer: (A)

Ladder inspection is about spotting defects that could cause injury during use. A proper check looks for cracks in rails, bent or missing rungs, loose or damaged hardware, damaged feet, corrosion, oil or chemical residue that makes it slippery, and any wobble or play in hinges or latching devices. The goal is to ensure the ladder will perform safely under its load; if any defect is found, it should be taken out of service until repaired or replaced.

While confirming the ladder’s load rating is important and obtained from the label and manufacturer specifications, the inspection’s primary purpose is to identify defects that could cause injury, not to determine the load rating. Appearance or color coding and cleanliness do not by themselves ensure safe use.