Podium Step Inspection Books - 25 Checklists

The Work at Height Regulations (WAHR) strongly recommend using work equipment that provides a stable working platform with guard rails, such as podium steps, wherever possible. Falls from ladders remain a significant cause of workplace injuries in the UK, with an average of 14 fatalities and over 1,200 injuries reported each year. As a result, podium steps are increasingly adopted as a safer alternative for accessing low-level heights. Their stability, ease of use, flexibility, and enhanced safety features make them a preferred choice in many industrial and commercial settings.

Despite being a safer option compared to ladders, podium steps are still considered work equipment under WAHR and PUWER regulations. Like all workplace equipment, they must be properly maintained and inspected before each use to ensure they remain safe, fully functional, and fit for purpose. Neglecting these checks can result in accidents, damage to the equipment, or non-compliance with legal requirements.

The Good to Go Safety Check Book is a practical and innovative tool designed to help employers and operators carry out thorough pre-use inspections of podium steps and similar work-at-height equipment. By using these inspection checklists regularly, operators can identify potential issues?such as loose components, structural damage, worn or missing parts?early, before they escalate into serious safety hazards or costly repairs. Implementing these checks promotes a culture of safety, reduces maintenance costs, and ensures adherence to statutory obligations.

Under WAHR, all work-at-height equipment, including podium steps, must be subject to routine inspections by a competent person who has the knowledge, experience, and training to identify defects and assess risks. These inspections should be documented, and the records must be kept on site and made available to health and safety inspectors during audits. Establishing a clear inspection routine helps organisations demonstrate compliance, mitigate risk, and maintain safe working conditions for all employees.

Before each use, operators should conduct a pre-use visual and functional inspection of the podium steps. This includes checking for structural defects, loose fastenings, damaged guardrails, worn surfaces, and any other issues that could compromise the stability or safety of the equipment. Ensuring that podium steps are safe to use is not only a legal requirement but also a fundamental part of protecting employees from falls and other workplace injuries.

Each Good to Go Safety check book contains 25 individual inspection checklists, specifically designed to cover the key components and structural integrity of podium steps. Operators complete the checklists before each use, while a duplicate carbon copy is retained in the book for management records, creating a clear and auditable trail of compliance. The book also provides detailed guidance notes to support operators in identifying and addressing potential hazards, ensuring inspections are thorough, consistent, and aligned with best practices.

By combining regular inspections with a systematic recording process, the Good to Go Safety Check Book helps employers maintain a safe workplace, reduce the risk of accidents, and comply with WAHR and PUWER legislation. This structured approach to equipment inspection promotes operational efficiency, instils confidence in employees, and ensures that podium steps remain reliable and safe for everyday use.