Buying a Used Ladder? 7 Checks Before You Climb

A ladder is one of the cheapest things to buy used and one of the easiest to get wrong. The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) says more than 100 people die each year in the United States from ladder-related falls and thousands more are injured. It also says about 40% of the cases involve an extension ladder set at the wrong angle. That means the ladder you buy matters, and so does how you set it up.

A used ladder is a good deal only if you can check it, rate it and set it up correctly.

One caveat on the numbers: the detailed national figures I could open are from 2011 and cover workers, not home users. I use them to show how serious falls are, not to claim exact present-day totals. Here is how to inspect a used ladder, and then how to use it.

What the federal numbers show

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a 2011 analysis of work-related ladder falls. These are its key points:

The takeaway is that people are not only falling from roofs. Most of the injuries came from falls under 16 feet, a height many of us reach on an ordinary home job.

Seven checks on a used ladder

NIOSH's guidance names the defects to look for: missing rungs, bolts, cleats, screws and loose components. It says a defective ladder should be marked or tagged "Do Not Use" and kept out of service. Checks 1, 3 and 4 below come from NIOSH. The ones marked as mine are plain common sense.

1. Count the rungs and fasteners. Look for anything missing, loose or bent.
2. Shake the rails. Hold the ladder upright and twist it gently. It should not wobble or creak. (My addition.)
3. Read the duty rating label. NIOSH defines duty rating as the maximum weight the ladder is made to carry safely, and says it must cover your weight plus your tools and materials. If the label is gone or unreadable, I would walk away.
4. Check the material. NIOSH says to use a nonconductive ladder near live wires and to stay at least ten feet from power lines. If you ever work near electrical lines, a metal ladder is the wrong choice.
5. Inspect the feet. Worn or missing feet are a slip risk. (My addition.)
6. Look for cracks, dents or repairs in the rails, especially near the rungs. (My addition.)
7. Test the locks and spreaders. Step ladders should open fully and lock firmly. (My addition.)

If a ladder fails even one check, treat it as scrap unless the fault can be fixed properly and cheaply.

Setting it up so it doesn't slide

NIOSH's setup advice is specific:

• Set an extension ladder at about a 75-degree angle.
• Extend it at least three feet above the roof or structure edge you are climbing to.
• Place it on a level, firm surface free of loose material.
• Keep three points of contact while climbing, and do not carry materials in your hands.
• Never stand above the second-highest step on a step ladder or the fourth-highest rung on an extension ladder.

Why does the angle matter so much? Because, as noted above, NIOSH says about 40% of cases involve the ladder sliding at the base due to an incorrect angle.

Which ladder suits which job

Pick the ladder for the task before you pick the price. If you will hang lights, clean gutters or paint ceilings, the right height and duty rating matter more than the brand. Choose a height that lets you work without overreaching, and remember that your weight plus your tools must fall within the rating.

For heavy or high jobs, a different tool altogether may be safer. The CDC's recommendations for workers include doing as much work as possible at ground level and using alternatives such as lifts or scaffolds for long work at height. That is not always practical at home, but it is a good question to ask: do I need to be up there at all?

Buying used in DC, Maryland and Virginia

Tools and ladders are among the easiest things to inspect in person, so use that advantage. Handle the ladder, read the label and open it up before you pay. If you are browsing for tools online, check the listing's condition notes and the return terms, and read the help page for how DealsDMV handles pickup. You can also browse Buy Now for what is available. If the ladder has any kind of battery, light or electrical part, check recalls with our five-minute guide.

The bottom line

A used ladder can be a bargain if it is complete, solid and rated for your weight. NIOSH's biggest safety point is the setup: about a 75-degree angle, three feet above the edge, a level base. Check the ladder carefully, set it up carefully and do not climb past the second-highest step of a step ladder.

If you know a neighbor who is about to buy a ladder at a yard sale, send them this list first.