Ladder inspection in Germany: inspecting and using ladders and steps safely
Falls from ladders are among the most common serious workplace accidents. How the regular ladder inspection (Leiterprüfung) works, who may carry it out and which rules apply to using ladders.
Last updated on 7 min readAMS Go editorial team
Key points at a glance
- Ladders and steps are work equipment: they must be inspected regularly by a person qualified to carry out inspections (Section 14 BetrSichV). The employer sets the interval in the risk assessment – in practice usually annually.
- In addition, users visually check the ladder for obvious defects before every use.
- DGUV Information 208-016 describes inspection and handling of ladders; the technical rule TRBS 2121 Part 2 governs when a ladder may be used as a workplace at all.
- Work from leaning ladders is only allowed up to a standing height of 5 metres, and above 2 metres only temporarily – no more than 2 hours in total per shift.
Why ladders must be inspected
The cause of a ladder accident often lies not in behaviour but in the ladder itself: broken rungs, a missing spreader, worn feet or bent stiles. Regular inspections catch such defects before someone falls.
Legally, ladders and steps are work equipment under the German Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health. The employer must ensure they are inspected regularly by a qualified person and only used in a safe condition (Sections 4, 14 BetrSichV). DGUV Information 208-016 “Guidance on handling ladders and steps” describes what this looks like in practice.
How often must a ladder be inspected?
No regulation sets a fixed interval. The employer sets it in the risk assessment – depending on how often and under what conditions the ladders are used.
Visual check
Whenbefore every use
By whomthe user
Regular inspection
Whenaccording to the risk assessment, in practice usually every 12 months; more often with rough use, for example on construction sites
By whomperson qualified to carry out inspections
Extraordinary inspection
Whenafter falling over, damage or repair
By whomperson qualified to carry out inspections
What is checked during a ladder inspection
- stiles: no cracks, deformation or splinters, no rot on wooden ladders
- rungs and steps: firmly attached, not bent, anti-slip profile present
- spreader on stepladders: chains or straps intact and correctly attached
- feet and stabiliser bars: complete and not worn
- joints, fittings and locks: moving freely and working
- labelling: rating plate, instructions for use and inspection sticker legible
Ladders with defects are withdrawn from use immediately and labelled. Repairs may only be carried out professionally – patched stiles or rungs from your own workshop are off limits. A new ladder is often the better choice.
Inspection register in AMS GoRecord each ladder with number, location and inspection interval, document the inspection on site on mobile and get automatic reminders of the next date.Who may inspect ladders?
The inspection is carried out by a person qualified to carry out inspections (TRBS 1203). For ladders, the bar is not high: a ladder inspection course, as offered by employers' liability insurance associations, inspection organisations and manufacturers, is usually sufficient. Many companies therefore train their own employees, for example from facility management.
What matters is that the person is not bound by instructions when inspecting and documents the results.
When a ladder may be used as a workplace
Ladders may only serve as a workplace if safer work equipment such as scaffolding or mobile elevating work platforms is not proportionate because of the low risk and short duration. This follows from the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health and is specified by TRBS 2121 Part 2:
up to 2 metres
What appliespermitted if the risk assessment does not require a safer solution
over 2 to 5 metres
What appliesonly temporary work, no more than 2 hours in total per shift
over 5 metres
What appliesnot as a workplace, only as access – use scaffolding or a mobile elevating work platform instead
Basic rules also apply: only set up ladders on firm, level ground, lean ladders at the right angle of about 65 to 75 degrees and let them extend at least one metre beyond the exit point, do not use stepladders as leaning ladders and do not climb steps that are not intended for standing.
Documenting the ladder inspection
Every inspection is recorded – on a ladder inspection sheet, in the inspection register or in software. This includes:
- a unique number and the location of each ladder
- type of ladder: leaning ladder, stepladder, combination ladder or step stool
- date, result and defects found
- name of the person who carried out the inspection
- next inspection date, also as an inspection sticker on the ladder
Checklist: ladder inspection
- All ladders and steps numbered and recorded with location
- Inspection interval set in the risk assessment
- Qualified person for ladder inspection appointed and trained
- Inspection documented with date, result and next date
- Inspection sticker on every ladder
- Employees instructed to check ladders visually before use
- Defective ladders taken out of service immediately
- Scaffolding or mobile elevating work platforms available for work above 5 metres
Free templates for this guide
As PDF and Excel, no sign-up – free to use in your own company.
Frequently asked questions
How often must a ladder be inspected?
There is no fixed legal interval. The employer sets it in the risk assessment; 12 months is common, shorter with heavy use. In addition, users carry out a visual check before every use.
Who may carry out a ladder inspection?
A person qualified to carry out inspections. For ladders, a ladder inspection course is usually enough – so your own employees can take over the inspection.
Do step stools also have to be inspected?
Yes, as soon as they are used as work equipment in the company – including step stools in offices or warehouses. Private ladders that employees bring from home should not be used at work at all.
How high may you work on a leaning ladder?
Under TRBS 2121 Part 2, up to a standing height of 5 metres at most. Above 2 metres, only temporary work of no more than 2 hours in total per shift is permitted. Higher than that, you need scaffolding or a mobile elevating work platform.
Which standard applies to ladders?
EN 131 governs the design of ladders. For inspection and use at work, the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health, TRBS 2121 Part 2 and DGUV Information 208-016 are decisive.
Terms from the glossary
This guide gives a general overview of German occupational safety law and does not replace legal advice. The regulations in force and the rules of the statutory accident insurance institutions are authoritative.
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