What action should be taken if a ladder is found to be defective?

The appropriate action when a ladder is identified as defective is to remove it from use. Removing the ladder ensures that it cannot be inadvertently used, which could lead to accidents or injuries. Safety should always be the top priority, and continuing to use a defective ladder poses a significant risk to anyone who may rely on it for support.

The other options involve actions that could potentially compromise safety. Repairing the ladder immediately may not address all underlying issues, and the quality of the repair could be questionable. Using the defective ladder for training could lead to improper habits and risk for trainees, as they would not be learning how to safely use a properly functioning ladder. Storing it for future reference could tempt individuals to use the ladder at a later time without recognizing its defects, perpetuating the risk. Thus, the safest and most responsible action is to remove it from use entirely.