COMMUTER ACFT HAS PROP STRIKE ON LADDER ON START OF TAXI TO RUN-UP AREA.

Narrative

I BEGAN A PREFLT OF THE ACFT STARTING AT THE CABIN DOOR ON THE L SIDE OF THE ACFT AND PROCEEDED AROUND THE NOSE; R SIDE; TAIL; AND L SIDE AND ENDING AT THE CABIN DOOR. WHEN I BEGAN THE INSPECTION; THE FO WAS ON A 6 FT LADDER CLEANING THE R SIDE COCKPIT WINDOWS. WHEN I COMPLETED THE INSPECTION; HE WAS IN THE COCKPIT. I CLOSED THE CABIN DOOR AND TOOK THE CAPT'S SEAT. THE CHKLIST WAS CONSULTED AND THE #1 THEN #2 ENGS WERE STARTED. DUE TO NOISE CONSIDERATIONS; RUN-UPS ARE DONE AT A REMOTE AREA OF THE RAMP. AS I TAXIED FORWARD TO GO TO THE RUN-UP; THE R PROP STRUCK THE LADDER THAT THE FO HAD LEFT NEXT TO THE FUSELAGE ON THE R SIDE OF THE ACFT. WHEN I ENTERED THE ACFT; I DID NOT ASK THE FO IF HE HAD SECURED THE LADDER; NOR; DID HE TELL ME AT ANY TIME THROUGH THE START UP PROC THAT THE LADDER WAS STILL IN A DANGEROUS AREA. ALTHOUGH THE FO HAD BEEN ON LINE SEVERAL MONTHS; I SHOULD HAVE MONITORED HIS ACTIONS MORE CLOSELY AND SHOULD HAVE LOOKED TO SEE THAT IT WAS NO LONGER NEAR THE ACFT BEFORE CLOSING THE DOOR. I RELIED TOO MUCH ON THE FO'S JUDGEMENT. MORE CREW DIALOGUE SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED CONCERNING THE LADDER. I HAVE LEARNED NOT TO EXPECT THAT ANYONE ELSE HAS DONE SOMETHING. I MUST CHK FOR MYSELF.