Portable Ladder Hazards

Falls from ladders can cause injuries ranging from sprains to death. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that falls from ladders account for more than 100 fatalities each year. Factors that contribute to falls from ladders include the following:

• The top or bottom of the ladder slips.
• The person on the ladder overreaches.
• The person on the ladder slips on rungs or steps.
• The ladder is defective.
• The ladder is not appropriate for the task.

Portable ladders must be safely positioned with each use. While you are on a ladder, it may move and slip from its supports. You can also lose your balance while getting on or off an unsteady ladder. Frequently cited OSHA ladder violations include the following:

• Not having a portable ladder extend three feet above the landing
• No worker training
• Improper use of the top of a stepladder

Consider the following ladder accidents:

• A worker was climbing a 10-foot ladder to access a landing, which was 9 feet above the adjacent floor. Although the ladder had slip-resistant feet, it was not secured and the railings did not extend three feet above the landing. The ladder slid down, and the worker fell to the floor, sustaining fatal injuries.
• A worker fell approximately 11 feet from an unsecured 24-foot portable extension ladder, which he had leaned against the fascia board above the garage of a house under construction. The worker sustained left leg fracture injuries and was hospitalized.

In both cases, safety guidelines were overlooked or ignored - either on the part of the employer, the employee, or both. The time it takes to ensure safety on the job is not wasted. In fact, it's part of the job. Do your part to keep you and your coworkers out of harm's way.

To learn more about Focus Four Safety visit our Construction Focus Four Safety Online Training web page.