Ladder Inspection Ireland — Workplace Ladder Safety Checks
Procheck carries out ladder inspection for businesses across Ireland under Regulation 119 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007. We inspect every ladder, apply a compliance tag and issue a full written report. We also complete the HSA GA3 form — Inspection of Work Equipment for Working at Height. This records the result of each inspection and must stay on file for five years. Furthermore, we can supply a ladder register and set a reminder for your next inspection so nothing slips. Book a ladder inspection with Procheck.
What the Ladder Inspection Covers
Regulation 119 requires employers to record ladder inspection results in writing. The HSA GA3 form is the standard document for this — Procheck completes it as part of every inspection report we issue. The form must stay on file and the HSA can request it at any time within five years of the inspection date.
Ladder Inspection Checklist — What We Examine
- Rungs — checking for damage, deformation and secure fixing
- Stiles — checking for cracks, bends and corrosion
- Feet — checking for wear, missing anti-slip caps and secure attachment
- Locking mechanisms and hinges — checking operation on stepladders and combination ladders
- Spreader bars — checking engagement and structural integrity
- Labels and load ratings — confirming each ladder carries the correct markings for its intended use
We mark any ladder that fails and take it out of service immediately. We advise on repair or replacement and attach a compliance tag to every inspected ladder so the result is visible on the equipment itself.
Pre-Use Check vs Formal Ladder Inspection — What Is the Difference?
A pre-use check is the visual check a user carries out before climbing. It is a daily user responsibility and does not satisfy the Regulation 119 requirement. A formal inspection, however, is a thorough examination by a competent person, documented on the HSA GA3 form. Only the formal inspection creates the legal record your business needs. Specifically, a trained inspector examines components a visual check would miss — internal corrosion, hairline cracks in stiles and hidden wear in locking mechanisms. Procheck carries out the formal inspection; your staff carry out pre-use checks between visits.
How Often Should Ladder Inspections Take Place?
Most workplace ladders need a formal inspection at least every six months under Regulation 119 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007. However, frequency depends on how often the ladder sees use and the conditions it operates in. High-use ladders, outdoor ladders, and ladders in corrosive or harsh environments need more frequent checks. In Ireland, the damp climate accelerates corrosion on metal ladders and moisture damage on wooden ones. Outdoor ladders therefore often need closer attention than the six-month minimum.
When to Arrange an Unscheduled Ladder Inspection
Any ladder involved in an incident, dropped from height, or left unused for an extended period needs a fresh inspection before returning to service. A competent person must assess each ladder on its own circumstances — a fixed interval alone does not satisfy the regulation.
Procheck advises on the correct inspection interval for each ladder type during every visit. We set a reminder for your next due date so the requirement stays on track. Read more in our guide to ladder inspection legal requirements in Ireland.
Why Choose Procheck for Ladder Inspection in Ireland?
All Ladder Types We Inspect in Ireland
Procheck inspects all types of workplace ladder including stepladders, extension ladders, combination ladders, fixed wall-mounted ladders and platform steps. We cover businesses of all sizes — from a single ladder in a small workshop to a large fleet across multiple sites. We are based in Co. Mayo and serve clients nationwide across all of Ireland. We advise on repair or replacement for any ladder that fails and schedule your next inspection before we leave.
Ladder Register — What It Is and Why You Need One
A ladder register is a written record of every ladder on your premises — its unique identifier, type, location, inspection dates and condition history. Regulation 119 does not mandate a register by name. However, keeping one is the most practical way to demonstrate compliance, since it shows the HSA at a glance that every ladder has a current GA3 form on file. Procheck supplies a ladder register as part of every inspection visit, so your records are complete and audit-ready.
Ladder Inspection Ireland — Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — Regulation 119 of the General Application Regulations 2007 requires employers to inspect work equipment at height at regular intervals, so a current GA3 form for each ladder is a legal requirement. Read the full legal breakdown here.
Most ladders need inspection at least every six months, while high-use or outdoor ladders need more frequent checks — and any ladder involved in an incident needs a fresh inspection before returning to service. Find out more about ladder inspection frequency.
The HSA GA3 form is the standard inspection record for work equipment at height in Ireland, and Regulation 119 requires employers to keep it for five years — Procheck completes it so you do not complete it yourself. Download the HSA GA3 form from hsa.ie.
If an accident occurs without a current inspection record, your insurer can refuse the claim, and in addition the HSA can issue improvement notices and pursue prosecution against employers who fail to keep records. Read more about the consequences.
Contact Procheck — we are based in County Mayo, cover businesses nationwide and therefore carry out ladder inspections quickly, issuing tags, written reports and completed GA3 forms on completion. Contact us to request a quote.