Fixed Ladder Checklist

Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention

National Institute for Occupational 

Safety and Health
Fixed Ladder Checklist

This checklist assesses slip, trip, and fall hazards on fixed ladders. These hazards may be 

due to the design of the fixed ladder or issues due to maintenance and upkeep or 

housekeeping. Some conditions may require the ladder to be removed from service. The 

checklist is divided into eight sections including general, maintenance, design, clearance, 

rungs, rails and handholds, and landings, and long ladders.
Fixed Ladder Checklist Instructions

This checklist package contains four documents. Three documents are necessary to 

conduct the audit. The third is optional and can be used as needed or when assessing 

multiple fixed ladders. A description and intended use of each document is provided 

below. 

1. Fixed Ladder Information Page – This document is required and allows the audit user

to record pertinent information to be filed with the audit results and

recommendations. A separate Fixed Ladder Information Page should be used for

each location and time when assessing multiple location or at multiple times.

2. Fixed Ladder Checklist Answer Sheet – This document is optional and can be used to

record responses to the checklist items, thereby allowing the user to reuse the Fixed

Ladder Checklist document multiple times without the need for additional copies of

the checklist items. A separate Fixed Ladder Checklist Answer Sheet should be used

for each location and time when assessing multiple location or at multiple times.

3. Fixed Ladder Checklist – This document is required and contains all the checklist

items and should be used to access the fixed ladder. The checklist is divided into

eight sections including general, maintenance, design, clearance, rungs, rails and

handholds, and landings, and long ladders. To complete this checklist, you will need a

tape measure and an inclinometer (or the built-in inclinometer on your smart

device). A separate Fixed Ladder Checklist should be used for each fixed ladder

audited if the Fixed Ladder Checklist Answer Sheet is not used.
4. Fixed Ladder Recommendations – This document is required and contains all the

recommendations for the checklist items. Each recommendation corresponds to the

answer “yes” for that item on the Fixed Ladder Checklist or the Fixed Ladder

Checklist Answer Sheet.
Fixed Ladder Checklist Table of Contents

Fixed Ladder Information Sheet........................................................................................................................Page 1

Fixed Ladder Checklist Answer Sheet................................................................................................................Page 2

Fixed Ladder Checklist.......................................................................................................................................Page 3

Fixed Ladder Recommendations.....................................................................................................................Page 14
Fixed Ladder Information Page: Page 1

Fixed Ladder Information Sheet

Name of Auditor: _______________________________

Location: ______________________________________

Date: _________________________________________

Time: _________:_________ AM / PM

Operational status of mine: In operation / Not in operation 

Brief description of the environment at the location of this fixed ladder (Ex.: wet, dry, 

inside, outside, transitional area):

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

Comments: 

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________
Fixed Ladder Answer Sheet: Page 2

Fixed Ladder Checklist Answer Sheet 

General

1.1 __________________________

1.2 __________________________

Maintenance 

2.1 __________________________

2.2 __________________________

2.3 __________________________

2.4 __________________________

2.5 __________________________

Design 

3.1 __________________________

3.2 __________________________

Clearance 

4.1 __________________________

4.2 __________________________

4.3 __________________________

4.4 __________________________

4.5 __________________________

Rungs

5.1 __________________________

5.2 __________________________

5.3 __________________________

5.4 __________________________

5.5 __________________________

5.6 __________________________

5.7 __________________________

5.8 __________________________

5.9 __________________________

Rails and Handholds 

6.1 __________________________

6.2 __________________________

6.3 __________________________

6.4 __________________________

6.5 __________________________

6.6 __________________________

Landings 

7.1 __________________________

7.2 __________________________

7.3 __________________________

7.4 __________________________

7.5 __________________________

7.6 __________________________

7.7 __________________________

Long ladders (30 feet or more in length) 

8.1 __________________________

8.2 __________________________

8.3 __________________________

8.4 __________________________
Fixed Ladder Checklist: Page 3

Fixed Ladder Checklist

Category Select all conditions present X = Yes

General 1.1 Mine workers regularly (daily or at each shift) use this ladder.

1.2 Tools and equipment are normally carried when using this ladder.

Maintenance 2.1 Ladder moves, shakes, or is not anchored securely.

2.2 Ladder rungs or rails have slipping hazard(s): oil, grease, ice, snow, other. 

2.3 There is spillage or debris on the landing or around the top or bottom of 

the ladder.

2.4 Ladder rungs or rails have protrusions, burrs, or sharp edges.

2.5 There is rust on metal ladders.

Design 3.1 Pitch/angle/inclination of the ladder is less than 70° or greater than 90°.

3.2 A single rail ladder is used.
Fixed Ladder Checklist: Page 4

Category Select all conditions present X = Yes

Clearance 4.1 There is less than 30 inches of clearance on the climbing side (front) of the 

ladder measured from the climbing side of the ladder to the nearest 

obstruction.

4.2 There is less than 7 inches of clearance behind the ladder measured from 

the back of the ladder to the nearest obstruction.
Fixed Ladder Checklist: Page 5

Category Select all conditions present X = Yes

4.3 There is less than 15 inches (measured from the center of the rung) of 

clearance on either side of the ladder without a cage.

4.4 If grab bars are present, there is less than 7 inches of clearance behind 

grab bars.
Fixed Ladder Checklist: Page 6

Category Select all conditions present X = Yes

4.5 If an enclosed ladder, projections or obstructions (such as cables, hoses, 

pipes, tools, or equipment) are present on the climbing side (front) of the 

ladder.

Rungs 5.1 Rungs are not parallel.

5.2 Rungs are not level.

5.3 Spacing between rungs is not uniform for the length of the ladder.

5.4 Distance between rungs is less than 10 inches or greater than 14 inches.

5.5 The lowest rung of the ladder is greater than 14 inches from the floor.
Fixed Ladder Checklist: Page 7

Category Select all conditions present X = Yes

5.6 Width of rungs (horizontal distance between rails) are less than 16 inches.

5.7 Rungs are not corrugated, knurled, dimpled, coated with skid-resistant 

material, or otherwise treated to minimize slipping.

5.8 Rungs are not of uniform size and shape (cross section) for the length of 

the ladder.

5.9 For circular rungs, rung diameter is less than 1 inch.

Rails & 

Handholds

6.1 Side rails do not have the same size and shape (cross section) for the 

length of ladder.

6.2 Handholds are not provided at the landing.
Fixed Ladder Checklist: Page 8

Category Select all conditions present X = Yes

6.3 Side rails extend less than 36 inches above the top of the landing.

6.4 The width of the side rails (horizontal distance between side rails) at the 

landing is less than 24 inches or greater than 30 inches.
Fixed Ladder Checklist: Page 9

Category Select all conditions present X = Yes

6.5 If grab bars are present, they protrude beyond the rungs of the ladder on 

the climbing side (front) of the ladder.

6.6 If grab bars are present, they are not the same size as the rungs.

Landings 7.1 The top rung is not level with the landing.

7.2 The landing is less than 24 inches wide.
Fixed Ladder Checklist: Page 10

Category Select all conditions present X = Yes

7.3 The landing is less than 30 inches long (in the direction of travel).

7.4 For step-through ladders, the step-through distance from the centerline 

of the ladder to the landing is less than 7 inches or greater than 12 inches.

7.5 For side-step ladders, the step-across distance from the centerline of the 

ladder rung to the landing is less than 15 inches or greater than 20 inches.
Fixed Ladder Checklist: Page 11

Category Select all conditions present X = Yes

7.6 The top landing of the ladder is not protected by a guardrail, chain, gate, 

or picket fence.

7.7 The guardrail, chain, gate, or picket fences on the top landing is missing or 

damaged.

Long ladders 

(30 feet or more

in length)

8.1 Back guards, cage, safety system, or equivalent protection is missing, 

damaged, or nonfunctional.
Fixed Ladder Checklist: Page 12

Category Select all conditions present X = Yes

Long ladder 8.2 The back guard, cage, or equivalent protection starts more than 7 feet 

above the floor.

8.3 The back guard, cage, or equivalent protection does not extend at least 42 

inches above the landing.
Fixed Ladder Checklist: Page 13

Category Select all conditions present X = Yes

8.4 If the ladder has multiple sections, the sections are not horizontally offset 

from adjacent sections at each landing.
Fixed Ladder Recommendations: Page 14

Fixed Ladder Recommendations

General

 (L Q 1.1) You indicated that workers use this ladder regularly. Install stairways, rather than ladders, in areas

where regular travel between levels occurs. Ladders pose a greater slip, trip, and fall risk as compared to

stairs.

 (L Q 1.2) You indicated that tools or equipment are normally carried when using this ladder. When tools or

equipment are carried by hand, this prevents the use of 3 points of contact on the ladder. Install stairways,

rather than ladders, in areas where regular travel between levels occurs or when tools and equipment are

normally carried by hand between levels. Ladders pose a greater slip, trip, and fall risk as compared to stairs.

If tools or equipment are normally carried when using the ladder and the ladder cannot be replaced with a

stairway, provide a backpack to the workers so that the tools are not held in the hand, store necessary tools

on each level, or provide a rope and pulley or lifting cable system next to the ladder.

Maintenance

 (L Q 2.1) You indicated that the ladder moves, shakes, or is not anchored securely. Securely anchor fixed

ladders to prevent movement when in use. Any movement of the ladder, including vibration, when in use

can lead to a fall. Ladders with excessive movement, should be taken out of service until they can be

securely anchored. When possible, install ladders in such a way so that vibration from the equipment is not

transmitted to the ladders. Routinely examine and maintain fixed ladders to ensure that they do not move,

shake, or vibrate when in use.

 (L Q 2.2 or Q 2.3) You indicated that the ladder has a slipping hazard on its rungs or rails or that there is

spillage or debris on the landing or around the top or bottom of the ladder. Routinely examine and clean

fixed ladders to ensure that the area around the top and bottom of the ladder is free from obstacles or

debris and that the ladder rungs and rails are free from oil, grease, ice, snow, or other slippery

contaminants. Install a paved landing 24 inches wide by 30 inches long (in the direction of travel) to prevent

erosion at the base of the ladder. Holes, ruts, and erosion at the base of the ladder can affect the vertical

distance of the first rung and create an uneven surface when transitioning from the ladder to the ground,

leading to injuries.

 (L Q 2.4) You indicated that the ladder rungs or rails have protrusions, burrs, or sharp edges. Clothing can

get snagged on the protrusions, burrs, or sharp edges. There is also a risk of a puncture, cut, or laceration

from rungs and rails that have protrusions, burrs, or sharp edges. Install ladders that do not have

protrusions, burrs, or sharp edges. Routinely examine and maintain ladders.

 (L Q 2.5) You indicated that there is rust on metal ladders. Rust can compromise the structural integrity of

the ladder. Paint or treat metal ladders to resist corrosion and rusting. Routinely examine and maintain

ladders and address rust and corrosion. If corrosion affects the structural integrity of the ladder, remove the

ladder from service and tag with a “Do Not Use” sign identifying the hazard. Only return the ladder to

normal use when the corrosion has been adequately mitigated
Fixed Ladder Recommendations: Page 15

Design

 (L Q 3.1) You indicated that the pitch/angle/inclination of the ladder is less than 70° or greater than 90°.

Install ladders with pitch between 70° and 90°. Ladders outside this range pose a significantly higher fall risk.

When the pitch of a ladder is between 30° and 50°, install stairs. You can use this app, an inclinometer, or

the NIOSH Ladder Safety App to check the pitch of the ladder. The NIOSH Ladder Safety App also provides

other useful information on portable ladders.

 (L Q 3.2) You indicated that a single rail ladder is used. Install a double rail ladder rather than a single rail

ladder as it is safer to use.
Fixed Ladder Recommendations: Page 16

Clearance

 (L Q 4.1 or Q 4.2 or Q 4.3 or Q 4.4) You indicated that there is less than 30 inches of clearance on the

climbing side (front) of the ladder, less than 7 inches of clearance behind the ladder or behind grab bars, or

less than 15 inches (measured from the center of the rung) of clearance on either side of the ladder. Install

ladders without obstructions within 30 inches on the climbing side (or 24 inches when a deflector plate is

used). No obstructions should be present within 7 inches behind the rungs (toe clearance) and grab bars and

15 inches from the centerline of the ladder on each side. For unavoidable obstructions behind ladders,

ensure that the obstruction is at least 4-1⁄2 inches above the rung and at least 1-1⁄2 inches below the rung of

the ladder. Promptly remove/reroute any moveable obstructions (such as cables, hoses, pipes, tools, or

equipment) that result in clearances that are less than recommended. Routinely examine and maintain

ladders and the surrounding area.

 (L Q 4.5) You indicated that projections or obstructions are present on the climbing side (front) of enclosed

ladders. Install ladders without any obstructions on the climbing side. No obstructions should be present

within 15 inches from the centerline of the ladder on each side. Promptly remove/reroute any obstructions

(such as cables, hoses, pipes, tools, or equipment) that result in clearances that are less than recommended.

Routinely examine and maintain ladders and the surrounding area.
Fixed Ladder Recommendations: Page 17

Rungs

 (L Q 5.1 or Q 5.2 or Q 5.3 or Q 5.4) You indicated that the distance between rungs is less than 10 inches or

greater than 14 inches or the rungs are not uniformly spaced, parallel, and level. Workers do not often look

at their feet when ascending and descending ladders and assume a uniform spacing. Workers can have

difficulty traversing ladders with bent, deformed, or unequally spaced rungs, and these issues can lead to

slips, trips, and falls. Install ladders with rungs that are level, parallel, and uniformly spaced between 10 and

14 inches apart vertically. Routinely examine and maintain ladders to ensure rungs are level, parallel, and

uniformly spaced. If ladder rungs are bent, broken, or missing, remove the ladder from service, provide a

“Do Not Use” sign identifying the hazard, and only return the ladder to normal use when the hazard has

been adequately mitigated.

 (L Q 5.5) You indicated that the lowest rung of the ladder is more than 14 inches from the floor. Install

ladders with the first rung less than 14 inches from the walking surface to reduce the physical effort needed

to gain access to the ladder. Routinely examine and maintain ladders.
Fixed Ladder Recommendations: Page 18

 (L Q 5.6) You indicated that the width of the rungs (horizontal distance between rails) is less than 16 inches.

Install ladders with rungs that are at least 16 inches wide (horizontal distance between rails), level, and

parallel. Remove/reroute any obstructions (such as cables, hoses, pipes, tools, or equipment) that result in

less than 16 inches of rung width. Routinely examine and maintain ladders to ensure that the width of the

rungs are at least 16 inches.

 (L Q 5.7) You indicated that the rungs are not treated to minimize slipping. Install metal rungs that are

corrugated, knurled, dimpled, coated with skid-resistant material, or otherwise treated to minimize slipping.

Routinely examine and maintain ladder rungs to ensure that rungs provide adequate slip resistance.

 (L Q 5.8) You indicated that the rungs do not have a uniform size and shape (cross section) for the length of

the ladder. Uniformly sized and shaped rungs are easier to grasp when traversing ladders. Install ladders

with rungs that are uniformly sized (cross section) and spaced. Replace rungs or the ladder to ensure

consistent rung and rail cross-sections. Routinely examine and maintain ladders.

 (L Q 5.9) You indicated that the circular rung diameter is less than 1 inch. Install circular steel rungs of

uniform size and shape that are at least 1 inch in diameter. Ensure all metal rungs are corrugated, knurled,

dimpled, coated with skid-resistant material, or otherwise treated to minimize slipping. Routinely examine

and maintain ladders rungs.
Fixed Ladder Recommendations: Page 19

Rails and Handholds 

 (L Q 6.1) You indicated that the side rails do not have the same size and shape (cross section) for the length

of the ladder. Install side rails with the same shape for the entire length of the ladder as they are easier to

grasp when traversing ladders. Routinely examine and maintain side rails to ensure that they are of uniform

shape for the length of the ladder.

 (L Q 6.2 or Q 6.3 or Q 6.4) You indicated that handholds are not provided at the landing, side rails extend

less than 36 inches above the top of the landing, or the width of the side rails at the landing is less than 24

inches or greater than 30 inches. Handrails above the landing provide support to workers as they transition

from the ladder to the landing. Install side rails that extend at least 36 inches above the landing and are

flared to between 24 and 30 inches wide; or install handholds above the landing. Routinely examine and

maintain side rail extensions and handholds.
Fixed Ladder Recommendations: Page 20

 (L Q 6.5 or 6.6) You indicated that when grab bars are present, they protrude beyond the rungs of the ladder

on the climbing side (front) of the ladder or the grab bars are not the same size as the rungs. Grab bars that

protrude beyond the rungs of the ladder on the climbing side increase the pitch of the ladder above 90°,

which is not recommended. They also reduce the required clearances and can snag clothing. Remove and

replace grab bars so that they do not protrude beyond the rungs of the ladder on the climbing side.
Fixed Ladder Recommendations: Page 21

Landings

 (L Q 7.1) You indicated that the top rung is not level with the landing. A top rung that is not level with the

landing can make transferring to the landing a challenge. Install ladders with the top rung flush with the

landing. Routinely examine and maintain ladders and landings to ensure they remain flush.

 (L Q 7.2 or Q 7.3) You indicated that the landing is less than 24 inches wide or less than 30 inches long (in

the direction of travel). Provide landings that are at least 30 inches long in the direction of travel, at least 24

inches wide, and flush with the top rung. Remove/reroute any obstructions (such as cables, hoses, pipes,

tools, or equipment). Routinely examine and maintain landings.

 (L Q 7.4) You indicated that the step-through distance of this step-through ladder from the centerline of the

ladder to the landing is less than 7 inches or greater than 12 inches. Install step-through ladders such that

the landings are between 7 and 12 inches from the centerline of the rung. Routinely examine, clean, and

maintain ladders and landings to meet specified step-across distances.
Fixed Ladder Recommendations: Page 22

 (L Q 7.5) You indicated that the step-across distance of this side-step ladder from the centerline of the

ladder rung to landing is less than 15 and more than 20 inches. Install side-step ladders such that the

landings are between 15 and 20 inches from the centerline of the rungs. Routinely examine, clean, and

maintain ladders and landings to meet specified step-across distances.

 (L Q 7.6 or Q 7.7) You indicated that the top landing of the ladder is not adequately protected by a guardrail,

chain, gate, or picket fence. It is preferable to treat the top landing of a ladder as a wall opening at that

level. Install a self-closing gate, guardrail, chain, or picket fence at the top landing of the ladder. Routinely

examine and maintain the guardrail, chain, gate, or picket fence to ensure that they are closed when not in

use and are free from damage.
Fixed Ladder Recommendations: Page 23

Long ladders (30 feet or more in length) 

 (L Q 8.1) You indicated that the safety system for this ladder longer than 30 feet in length is missing,

damaged, or nonfunctional. Install a safety system such as a back guard, cage, or equivalent on a ladder

longer than 30 feet. Routinely examine and maintain ladder safety systems to ensure that they are not

broken, damaged, or missing and are free of protrusions or obstructions.

 (L Q 8.2 or Q 8.3) You indicated that the safety system for this ladder longer than 30 feet in length starts

more than 7 feet above the floor and extends less than 42 inches above the landing. Install a safety system

such as a back guard, cage, or equivalent that starts at 7 feet from the ground, extends 42 inches above the

landing, and has 27-30 inches of clearance on the climbing side. Routinely examine and maintain ladder

safety systems to ensure that they are not broken, damaged, or missing and are free of protrusions or

obstructions.
Fixed Ladder Recommendations: Page 24

 (L Q 8.4) You indicated that the adjacent sections of this ladder are not horizontally offset at each landing.

Horizontally offset adjacent sections of ladders at landings.
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