Ladder safety: three checks before you climb

Meet Pip, our storeroom squirrel. Today he needs a stepladder to inspect stock on the upper shelf.

Before climbing, Pip brings the stepladder over. Let's see what needs checking first.

Wrong: Pip ignores damage to a step. A quick glance is not a proper inspection.

Wrong: he chooses uneven ground and puts a loose block underneath one foot to level it.

Wrong: he leaves the spreaders folded and leans the closed stepladder against the shelf instead.

An unstable base or unlocked spreaders can let the ladder shift or tip without warning.

Check one: inspect the steps, rails and feet. If anything is damaged, stop and report it.

Check two: choose firm, level ground. All four feet must sit flat without loose blocks underneath.

Check three: fully open the stepladder and lock its spreaders. Confirm they hold before you climb.

Is it climb quickly, inspect, position and lock, or have someone hold it?

Inspect, position and lock is correct. These checks help keep your stepladder stable before climbing.

Inspect for damage. Choose level ground. Lock the spreaders.