How to use this checklist
Create a traceable screening record for an existing or proposed fixed access system, with measured evidence for the ladder, landings, gates, fall protection, guardrails and walking surfaces before any compliance conclusion is made.
Use it when
- Inspecting an existing fixed ladder, platform, walkway or roof-access arrangement.
- Reviewing fabrication drawings or a proposed access-system modification.
- Checking whether field changes have affected landings, gates, cages, rails or clearances.
- Preparing an evidence pack for a competent-person or engineering review.
Do not use it to
- Declaring the whole access system compliant because selected dimensions are within range.
- Applying one ladder rule to every access type or pitch without first classifying the arrangement.
- Treating a cage as automatic compliance for every long ladder or every fall exposure.
- Replacing structural design, fall-risk assessment, rescue planning or project-specific legal review.
Stop and escalate when
These conditions deserve an explicit competent-person decision rather than being treated as routine checklist gaps.
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The ladder type, pitch or applicable access pathway cannot be established.
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A fall-protection transition requires the user to disconnect, stand on the ladder or move through an unprotected opening.
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Corrosion, cracking, loose fixings, distortion or support damage could affect structural capacity.
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The total climb, pitch or landing arrangement does not fit the expected AS 1657 configuration.
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A gate, hatch, pipe, cable, duct or process item obstructs the required standing or transfer space.
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Working checklist
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1. Classify the complete access system
Measure the arrangement first. Many incorrect assessments start by applying a familiar ladder rule before confirming the actual access type and pitch.
Identify the access type and record the actual pitch to the horizontal.Escalation-sensitive
Classify the arrangement as stairs, inclined step-type ladder, twin-stile rung ladder, single-stile rung ladder, individual rungs/step-irons or another access form.Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forSide-elevation photograph, measured rise and horizontal offset, drawing or field angle measurement.Typical gapThe asset register says 'vertical ladder' but the installed pitch and configuration fall into a different access category.Escalate whenThe geometry sits between categories or the arrangement combines features from different ladder types.Source basisAS 1657:2018 access-type and slope framework.Record the total vertical climb and the vertical distance between every landing.Escalation-sensitive
Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forDimensioned elevation or site measurements from lower landing to upper landing and between intermediate landings.Typical gapOnly the overall ladder length is recorded, so the actual fall-protection and landing pathway cannot be checked.Escalate whenIntermediate landings are missing, relocated or spaced using a generic 6 m rule without checking ladder pitch/type.Source basisAS 1657:2018 ladder-flight and landing provisions.Confirm the route is fixed access and document who uses it, how often and what they carry.
Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forTask description, maintenance procedure, operator interviews and photographs of carried tools/PPE.Typical gapThe geometry is assessed without considering frequent access, bulky tools, rescue needs or two-handed tasks.Escalate whenUsers must carry loads that prevent three-point contact or the task requires frequent emergency access.Source basisAS 1657 risk-based access selection and safe-use intent.Check the access route for obstructions and altered interfaces.Escalation-sensitive
Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forPhotographs from approach, climb and landing positions showing pipes, ducts, cables, doors, hatches and equipment.Typical gapA later pipe or cable installation reduces clearance or blocks the safe transfer path.Escalate whenThe user must lean outside the ladder, climb around an obstruction or step across an unprotected gap.Source basisAS 1657 access, landing and clearance principles.02
2. Check stiles, rungs and ladder geometry
The dimensional checks are only useful when they are tied to the actual ladder type and measured consistently.
For a step-through ladder, verify the stiles extend at least 1000 mm above the top landing.Escalation-sensitive
Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forVertical measurement from top landing level to the top of each extended stile.Typical gapThe last rung is correct but the stiles stop near landing level, leaving no stable handhold for the transfer.Escalate whenOne or both extensions are short, loose, damaged or interrupted by the gate/hatch arrangement.Source basisAS 1657:2018 step-through ladder extension provision.For a step-through ladder, check the clear width between the extended stiles at the top transfer.
The expected AS 1657 range is 525 mm to 675 mm for the step-through opening.Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forClear measurement between the extended stiles at the top landing.Typical gapA gate frame or retrofit bracket narrows the opening after the ladder was installed.Escalate whenThe opening is outside the range or forces a twisted transfer.Source basisAS 1657:2018 step-through ladder geometry.For ladders longer than 1 m, verify rung spacing is 250 mm to 300 mm and evenly repeated.Escalation-sensitive
Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forMeasure several consecutive rung centres, including the top and bottom transitions.Typical gapMost rungs are correct but the first or last spacing is significantly different.Escalate whenSpacing is irregular, outside range or has been altered by a replacement rung.Source basisAS 1657:2018 rung-spacing provisions; short-ladder rules vary by ladder type.Check every rung is slip resistant, securely connected and unable to rotate.Escalation-sensitive
Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forClose photographs, physical check and condition record for corrugation/serration/coating and attachments.Typical gapPaint, oil or wear removes the intended slip resistance; round rungs rotate under load.Escalate whenA rung is loose, cracked, significantly corroded, polished smooth or contaminated by process material.Source basisAS 1657:2018 rung construction and slip-resistance provisions.Check stiles, brackets, supports and fixings for section loss, cracking, looseness and distortion.Escalation-sensitive
Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forCondition photographs, hammer/torque checks where appropriate, corrosion measurements and support details.Typical gapThe ladder dimensions are measured but the wall bracket, weld toe or base support is not inspected.Escalate whenStructural condition is uncertain or previous repairs/modifications are visible.Source basisAS 1657 structural integrity and durable-access intent; project-specific engineering may be required.03
3. Check landings, platforms and safe transfer
The top of the ladder is often the highest-risk part of the system. The worker needs a real standing and transfer space, not just a nominal platform.
Verify the walking surface width of each platform or landing is at least 600 mm.
Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forClear width measurements at the usable walking line, excluding obstructions.Typical gapThe nominal platform is 600 mm wide but piping, guard posts or equipment reduce the usable width.Escalate whenThe clear route is narrowed at the exact point where the user transfers on or off the ladder.Source basisAS 1657:2018 platform and landing width provisions.Verify each access landing provides at least 600 mm of standing space clear of cross-traffic, door swing and other structure.Escalation-sensitive
Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forPlan dimensions and photographs with doors/gates shown in their operating positions.Typical gapA 600 mm landing exists on drawing, but a swinging gate or door occupies the standing space.Escalate whenThe user cannot stand fully on the landing before operating the gate, door or hatch.Source basisAS 1657:2018 access-landing standing-space provisions.Check the gate or hatch can be opened and closed from a protected standing position.Escalation-sensitive
For roof-access arrangements, AS 1657 guidance illustrates a self-closing gate opening inward toward the roof and a 600 mm × 600 mm top landing so the gate can be operated without fall risk.Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forPhotographs or video of the complete transfer sequence with the gate/hatch moving through its full arc.Typical gapThe gate is technically present but the user must remain on the ladder to reach or open it.Escalate whenOpening the gate removes the only handhold, creates an unprotected opening or requires leaning outside the ladder.Source basisAS 1657:2018 landing provisions and roof-access guidance.Verify a safety gate is self-closing where the design relies on it to restore edge protection.Escalation-sensitive
Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forFunctional test from fully open positions; check hinge, spring, latch and interference.Typical gapGate is tied open, sticks on the platform or no longer returns to the protected position.Escalate whenThe opening remains unprotected after normal use.Source basisAS 1657:2018 self-closing gate concept and protected access-opening intent.Check floor openings, grating gaps and interfaces for dropped-object risk to people below.
Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forPhotographs of grating, penetrations, platform edges and the area below.Typical gapA small opening or service penetration was added after construction without considering people below.Escalate whenTools, parts or process material can fall into an accessible area.Source basisAS 1657:2018 platform/landing dropped-object protection provisions.04
4. Check rest landings, cages and harness-based fall protection
Do not use one universal '6 m ladder rule'. The required landing and fall-protection pathway depends on ladder type, pitch and total fall exposure.
Check intermediate landing spacing against the actual ladder type and pitch—not a blanket 6000 mm rule.Escalation-sensitive
For twin-stile ladders around 70°–75°, the AS 1657 pathway uses landing spacing up to 6 m in relevant configurations; steeper 75°–90° twin-stile ladders use a shorter 4.5 m interval. Other ladder types have their own pathway.Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forMeasured pitch, ladder type and vertical distance between each landing.Typical gapEvery fixed ladder on site is assessed against 6 m regardless of angle or type.Escalate whenThe configuration does not clearly match the selected fall-protection row or exceeds the relevant landing interval.Source basisAS 1657:2018 ladder fall-protection selection table.Where a person could fall more than 6 m, verify the required cage or alternative harness-based fall-arrest pathway has been addressed.Escalation-sensitive
Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forTotal fall exposure, cage drawings/measurements, or fall-arrest system design and certification records.Typical gapA long ladder has neither a cage nor a documented alternative because intermediate platforms were assumed to remove the issue.Escalate whenFall exposure exceeds 6 m and no valid protection pathway is documented.Source basisAS 1657:2018 ladder-cage and harness-based fall-arrest provisions.If a cage is used, check its continuity, condition and safe extension through the top transition.
Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forFull-height photographs and measurements at the cage start, intermediate landings and upper landing.Typical gapThe cage stops at the platform level, leaving the highest transfer point unprotected.Escalate whenThe cage is damaged, obstructed or creates entrapment/transfer problems.Source basisAS 1657:2018 ladder-cage geometry and upper-landing provisions.If a harness rail or fall-arrest system is used, verify continuous attachment through approach, climb and landing transition.Escalation-sensitive
Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forSystem layout, manufacturer instructions, certification, anchor/rail records and a walk-through of the connection sequence.Typical gapThe user must disconnect before reaching a protected landing or cannot connect safely before leaving the landing.Escalate whenThere is an unprotected transfer, incompatible PPE or no practical rescue method.Source basisAS 1657:2018 harness-based fall-arrest alternative plus system-specific design requirements.Where personal fall arrest is relied on, confirm a rescue plan is realistic for the location.Escalation-sensitive
Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forSite rescue procedure, equipment list, anchor access and demonstrated response arrangements.Typical gapA vertical system is installed but no one has planned recovery of a suspended worker.Escalate whenRescue depends on improvised equipment or external response that cannot arrive in a suitable time.Source basisFall-arrest system lifecycle and safe-use requirements beyond geometry alone.05
5. Check handrails, guardrails and toeboards
Edge protection needs to match the actual fall and dropped-object hazards. A toeboard is not simply a universal yes/no item.
Verify handrail height is between 900 mm and 1100 mm above the relevant floor, walkway surface or stair nosing.
Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forVertical measurements at representative locations and changes in level.Typical gapA handrail is measured from the wrong datum or drops outside range at a transition.Escalate whenThe rail is discontinuous or cannot be grasped where the user transfers.Source basisAS 1657:2018 handrail height provisions.Verify at least 50 mm hand clearance and an unobstructed grip path along the handrail.
Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forClearance measurements and photographs showing adjacent steelwork, cladding, pipework and brackets.Typical gapA later cable tray or pipe removes the gripping clearance.Escalate whenThe user must release the handrail at a critical transfer point.Source basisAS 1657:2018 hand-clearance provisions.Check guardrails protect exposed platform and landing edges where the fall hazard requires them.Escalation-sensitive
Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forPlan/elevation and photographs of every edge, opening and access point.Typical gapThe main platform is guarded but the ladder opening or narrow return edge is left exposed.Escalate whenA person can step or fall through an unprotected edge during normal access or maintenance.Source basisAS 1657:2018 guardrailing provisions.Provide a toeboard where an object could fall from the edge into an area accessible to people below or beside the platform.
Where the toeboard provision applies, check the top is at least 100 mm above the floor and the underside gap is no more than 10 mm.Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forPhotographs of platform edges and the occupancy/access below; toeboard dimensions where installed.Typical gapThe inspection asks 'toeboard yes/no' without first identifying whether people can be exposed to falling objects.Escalate whenPeople routinely work or pass below an unprotected edge where tools or components can fall.Source basisAS 1657:2018 toeboard and falling-object provisions.Check gates, removable rails and access openings restore equivalent edge protection after use.Escalation-sensitive
Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forFunctional test and photographs in normal closed/latched condition.Typical gapA removable chain or rail is routinely left open because it is inconvenient to replace.Escalate whenNormal work leaves a fall opening unprotected.Source basisAS 1657 protected-edge and access-opening intent.06
6. Check walking surfaces, condition and close-out evidence
Finish by checking the whole access route in the condition it is actually used—not only the dimensions shown on a drawing.
Verify walking surfaces, treads and rungs remain slip resistant in the real service condition.Escalation-sensitive
Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forCondition photos showing oil, water, product build-up, wear, coatings and drainage.Typical gapA compliant grating or serrated rung is permanently coated with grease or process residue.Escalate whenContamination cannot be controlled by routine cleaning or drainage.Source basisAS 1657:2018 slip-resistance requirements.Check drainage and ponding on platforms and landings.
Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forPhotos after rain/washdown where possible; slope and drain condition.Typical gapA retrofit kerb or seal traps water at the ladder transition.Escalate whenPersistent ponding causes slip, corrosion or electrical/process risk.Source basisAS 1657 safe walking-surface intent.Record corrosion, cracking, damaged grating, missing clips, loose fasteners and unauthorised field modifications.Escalation-sensitive
Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forDefect register with location-tagged photographs and measurements.Typical gapOnly geometric nonconformances are recorded; structural deterioration is left to another inspection that never occurs.Escalate whenAny defect could affect load capacity or safe support of a person.Source basisAS 1657 structural and durable-access requirements; engineering assessment where capacity is uncertain.Record every nonconformance with an owner, interim control and target close-out date.Escalation-sensitive
Add measurement, evidence or notes
Inspection guidance and source basis
Evidence to look forAction register linked to photos, measurements and responsible persons.Typical gapThe checklist is completed but no one owns the defects.Escalate whenA critical fall or structural defect remains open while access continues.Source basisPractical compliance management and risk-control close-out.Overall notes
Record the final screening context
Note operating restrictions, missing documents, work orders, competent-person decisions or assumptions that affect the result.
Minimum useful attachment pack
The checklist is most useful when the evidence can travel with the request.
Five questions before you call it complete
1Have we classified the actual ladder type and pitch before applying dimensional rules?
2Can the user get completely onto a protected landing before operating the gate or hatch?
3Has the landing interval and fall-protection pathway been checked for this ladder type rather than using a generic 6 m rule?
4Have toeboards been assessed from the real falling-object exposure rather than as a universal yes/no item?
5Do the photographs and measurements allow an independent reviewer to reconstruct the access path?
Common gaps and weak evidence
Landing frequency depends on ladder type and pitch. Steeper twin-stile arrangements can require shorter intervals.
Rungs and stiles are checked carefully, but the top gate can only be operated while the worker is still on the ladder.
The inspection records yes/no without considering who can be exposed to falling objects below or beside the edge.
The geometry passes, but corroded brackets, cracked welds, missing grating clips or slippery contamination are not recorded.