Ladder inspection: Digitally inspect and document ladders and step stools

Ladder inspection at a glance

In commercial settings, ladders and step stools must be inspected regularly—usually at least once a year—by a qualified person in accordance with DGUV Information 208-016. The inspection includes visual and functional checks for defects such as deformation, cracks or missing parts, followed by documentation and labeling to ensure occupational safety.

Typical inspection contents:

• Visual inspection for damage
• Functional test – stability
• Labeling and documentation
• Accessories and safety devices

The GreenGate solution helps companies carry out the legally required inspections of ladders and step stools efficiently, transparently and audit-proof. With digital management of all ladders and inspection tasks,
users have a clear overview of the current inspection status of all work equipment at all times.

Your benefits when managing your ladders and step stools with GreenGate

• Meet documentation obligations towards supervisory authorities, employers’ liability insurance associations or internal audits
• Taking defective work equipment out of service means greater occupational safety
• Avoid accidents and liability risks
• Transparent inspection processes, less administrative effort, legally compliant documentation
• Improve compliance within the company

Industries:

• Municipal utilities and municipal operations
• Grid operators
• Water management (wastewater and sewage treatment plant operators)
• Utilities
• Power generators
• Industrial companies
• Service providers
• Waste management companies
• Motorway/road maintenance depots
• Facility management
• (all operations where ladders and step stools are in use)

Software used in GS-Service:

• GS-Manager (desktop application)
• GS-Works (mobile app)

Inspection of ladders and step stools in GS-Service

The GreenGate system manages all ladders and step stools as separate objects. For each ladder, relevant master data and inspection information are stored. This includes among other things the manufacturer, type, asset number, location, purchase date, inspection interval and the date of the last inspection carried out.

To ensure legal and operational requirements, an annual recurring inspection task is created for each ladder. This ensures that all ladders and step stools are regularly checked by a qualified person within the prescribed inspection interval.

When a new ladder is created in the system, the system automatically creates the associated inspection task with the defined inspection cycle. This ensures that newly purchased work equipment is integrated into the inspection process immediately and no inspection is missed. A suitably qualified employee carries out the inspection. They locate the respective ladders on site and systematically work through the inspection list stored on the tablet or smartphone (structured checklist in GS-Service).

Among other things, the following are checked:

• general condition of the ladder
• damage or deformation
• stability
• function of joints and safety devices
• completeness of all components
• condition of ladder feet, steps and stiles

Identified defects can be documented directly in the system. You can distinguish between

• minor defects
• and safety-relevant defects .

Minor issues can be remedied immediately and documented as resolved. If the ladder is no longer safe to operate, it can be taken out of service immediately. In this case, the status in the system is adjusted accordingly and further use is prevented until repair or replacement takes place.

After the inspection has been successfully completed, the following are documented in the system in an audit-proof manner:

• Inspection result
• Inspection date
• Inspector’s name

The next inspection date is then generated automatically in line with the defined inspection interval.

Reference customer:

Aschaffenburger Versorgungs-GmbH