A defective ladder must be removed from service immediately.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Depends on damage
• D. Only after the user leaves the area

Answer: (B)

When a ladder is found to be defective, the priority is to stop using it and prevent others from using it. The important detail is that the timing isn’t an absolute universal rule in every situation—the appropriate action depends on the specific defect, the available replacement ladder, and the site’s safety procedures. In practice you should take the defective ladder out of service and tag it so it cannot be used, and you remove it from the work area as soon as practical. That nuance is why this statement isn’t universally true: the safest approach is to retire the ladder from service promptly, but the exact timing can depend on the context and policy in place.