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Ladder Inspection and Maintenance

A ladder that looked fine last spring may not be fine now. Barn dust, weather and rough handling wear on it, so inspection works best as a regular habit, not a one-time chore.

Why do farm ladders need regular inspection?

Ladders fail quietly. A cracked rail, a loose rung or a worn foot may not be obvious until weight comes onto it. On a farm, ladders get dropped off trailers, left in the rain, rubbed by chemicals and leaned against hot metal roofs.

A regular inspection gives you a chance to catch problems when the fix is simple. It also builds the habit of looking before climbing, which matters more than any single check.

A written record, even a few lines in a notebook, helps you see patterns, such as one ladder that keeps coming back with the same problem.

What should you look at?

Follow the manufacturer's guidance, since it describes the parts of your specific model. In general terms, look over the whole ladder from top to bottom, then check the moving parts, then check the feet and the surfaces where you grip and stand.

If you see something that looks wrong, do not talk yourself into believing it is minor. Take it out of service until someone who knows can judge it.

If you are not sure whether a mark is cosmetic or structural, treat it as structural until a qualified person says otherwise.

• Rails and side parts: bends, cracks, dents, splits or rot.
• Rungs or steps: looseness, wear, slick spots, missing pieces.
• Locks, hinges, spreaders and pulleys: do they move freely and engage fully?
• Feet: worn, missing or clogged with dirt and manure.
• Labels: still readable, since they carry the instructions and rating.
• Rope or hardware on extension ladders: frayed, rusted or loose.

When should you inspect?

Inspect before each use for a quick visual check, and set a longer scheduled review at a regular interval that suits your operation. Also inspect after any drop, any event where the ladder tipped, and any exposure to heat, fire or chemicals.

I am not giving a required interval here, because requirements depend on your employer status, your state and the standard that applies. Check OSHA and your state plan, and ask your insurer what they expect.

Weather swings, such as a freeze followed by a thaw, are a good reason for an extra look at ladders stored outside or in unheated buildings.

What do you do with a damaged ladder?

Remove it from service immediately. Tag it so no one grabs it by mistake. Write what is wrong and who found it. A plain tag on a ladder in the corner of a shop can prevent a serious accident.

Do not attempt improvised repairs, such as wiring a rung or patching a rail with tape. Repairs should follow the manufacturer's instructions or be done by someone qualified. When in doubt, replace it, and dispose of the old one so it does not return to the shed.

A tag should say what is wrong, the date and who found it, so the next person does not have to guess.

• Tag it with date, problem and your name.
• Move it somewhere separate from working ladders.
• Decide: repair per manufacturer guidance, or replace and discard.

How should you clean and store ladders?

Clean mud, manure, oil and grease off steps and rungs after use. Residue is slippery and can hide damage. Use cleaning methods the manufacturer recommends, since some solvents attack certain materials.

Store ladders where they will not be crushed, bent or soaked. Hang or rack them so the weight is supported evenly. Keep them away from heat sources and chemical storage. Avoid storing items on top of a ladder.

Never store a ladder where it can slide, tip or fall onto people or animals, and keep it out of the way of equipment traffic.

Who should be responsible?

On a family farm it is easy for everyone and no one to own the job. Name one person, put the check on the calendar and record the results in a notebook or on a tag. If you have employees, make sure they know that they can report a problem without blame.

Young or new workers should be taught what to look for, and should be told that skipping a ladder because it looks wrong is the right call. Youth work rules come from the U.S. Department of Labor, so confirm tasks there.

Praise people who report problems. A farm where it is easy to say a ladder looks wrong is a safer farm.

What if someone is hurt in a ladder fall?

Call 911 for any serious fall. Do not move the person unless there is immediate danger, and follow the dispatcher's directions. Afterward, keep the ladder as it was, take notes and report it to your insurer or employer as required.

A fall is also a prompt to review the whole routine. Ask what was different that day, and share the answer with everyone who works with you, without pointing blame.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.