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Ladder Pre-Use Safety Checklist

Use our Checklist creator tool to create customised workplace safety documents. Learn more about Ladder Pre-Use Safety Checklist Template below

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Create a Safety Checklist in 4 Easy Steps: Complete the checklist details below, add or edit the questions, add your logo and sign-off, then export a professional, print-ready PDF with Yes / No / N/A tick-boxes and a comments space.

Checklist Details

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Checklist Questions

Every question is included by default. Untick any you want to leave out, or delete the ones you don't need.

Click Add Question to add your own custom checks. Click a row to edit its wording, and drag to reorder.

The Yes / No / N/A tick-boxes and comments space are added automatically on the exported PDF or Word document.

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Risk Assessment Description:

This ladder pre-use safety checklist template from Health & Safety Zone assists supervisors and operatives in confirming that a ladder is safe to use before any work at height begins, regardless of industry.

It is designed in line with the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and HSE guidance INDG455, providing a systematic approach covering risk assessment, competence, site conditions, equipment condition, hazardous substances, personal protective equipment, collective safety measures, emergency provisions and post‑task make‑safe actions. The checklist also supports compliance with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and encourages a hierarchy of control implementation.

Use this checklist for:

Pre‑use checks – verify ladder and surroundings are safe before each use.
Site inspections – spot‑check ladder use on any workplace.
Toolbox briefings – reinforce safe ladder practices.

Each item is answered Yes, No or N/A – any “No” must be resolved before work starts.

Fully editable and shareable – customise the questions to your site and download as a PDF.

The checklist aligns with the hierarchy of control and supports employers in meeting their duties under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and the Work at Height Regulations 2005. By answering each question, users can quickly identify gaps, implement corrective actions and record compliance evidence, ensuring a safe working environment for all personnel.

Compliant with: Work at Height Regulations 2005; HSE INDG455.

Sample PDF Document Image:

Checks covered in this Ladder Pre-Use Inspection checklist

This Ladder Pre-Use Inspection safety checklist template covers 22 checks. Customise the questions to your workplace, then download a professional, print-ready PDF with Yes / No / N/A tick-boxes and a comments space.

#	Checklist item
1	Has a risk assessment for the ladder use been completed and briefed to those involved?
2	If a permit is required for the work, has it been obtained and signed off?
3	Is the operative trained, competent and authorised to use the ladder?
4	Is the operative fit for work and not under the influence of alcohol or drugs?
5	Is the ground or floor at the base of the ladder firm, level and free of slip hazards?
6	Is the work area clear of obstacles, public access and other equipment that could affect ladder stability?
7	Is adequate lighting provided for the task?
8	Is the ladder the correct type, height and load rating for the intended task?
9	Is the ladder angle set correctly (approximately 1 in 4) and secured at the top or footed by a second person?
10	Has the ladder been inspected for defects (rungs, stiles, feet, locks) and found to be in safe condition?
11	Are any ladder safety devices (locks, spreaders) present and functional?
12	Are any overhead hazards (e.g., power lines, low ceilings) identified and mitigated?
13	Are there any hazardous substances (e.g., chemicals, oils) present that could cause slipping or affect ladder integrity?
14	Is appropriate PPE (non‑slip footwear, hard hat, gloves) available and being worn?
15	If fall protection is required for the height, is suitable equipment provided and ready for use?
16	Is a safe exclusion zone or barrier established around the ladder to protect by‑standers?
17	Are first‑aid provisions and emergency contact details readily accessible?
18	Are ladder‑specific hazards such as over‑reaching, slipping or unstable base identified and mitigated?
19	Is a collective safety measure, such as signage or a cordoned area, in place to keep other workers clear of the ladder’s fall zone?
20	Is a rescue plan in place should a fall occur from the ladder?
21	After work, is the ladder removed, stored safely and any temporary supports reinstated?
22	Is the work area cleared of debris and returned to its normal condition after ladder use?

Frequently asked questions

Are these safety checklist templates really free to download?

Yes — completely free. Customise any checklist to your workplace and download a professional, print-ready PDF in minutes. No paywall, and no signup required for guests.

What format do the safety checklists download in?

Checklists download as a professional PDF, ready to print and complete on-site — each question has clear Yes / No / N/A tick-boxes and a comments space. You choose portrait or landscape at download. Word and spreadsheet formats are being added.

Can I customise the checklist questions to my workplace?

Yes — fully. Add your own questions, edit or remove any of the pre-written ones, and reorder them to suit your site, task or inspection before you download.

Are the safety checklists suitable for UK workplaces?

Yes. The checklists are written around UK health and safety good practice and HSE guidance, and are suitable for inspections, audits, toolbox checks and routine workplace monitoring.

Do I need an account to use the checklist templates?

No — guests can build and download a checklist for free without signing up. Register a free account if you want to save checklists to your dashboard and edit them later.

Can I add my company logo and branding to the checklist?

Yes — add your company logo, colours and details on Standard and Pro plans, so the exported checklist carries your own branding. Guests and Free downloads carry Health & Safety Zone branding.

How do I complete the checklist once it is downloaded?

The exported checklist is a blank, ready-to-use document: print it and tick Yes, No or N/A against each question and write any comments in the notes space, then sign and date it in the sign-off section.

What types of safety checklist can I create?

We are building specialist checklists across a wide range of subjects and industries — fire safety, workplace inspections, equipment and machinery checks, site inductions, vehicle checks, PPE, first aid and more. Browse by category to find the right one.

How often should safety checklists be completed?

It depends on the activity and your risk assessment — many checks are daily, weekly or monthly, while others are done before each task or shift. Completed, dated checklists provide a useful record of your monitoring.

Are the checklists a substitute for a risk assessment?

No. A checklist is a monitoring and inspection tool that complements your risk assessments and method statements — it helps confirm that controls are in place and working. Use them alongside your risk assessments.