Common Causes of Injuries

The causes of ladder and stairway accidents can be grouped into two categories: unsafe acts, which account for the majority of accidents, and unsafe conditions. Most accidents occur when people are either rushing or not paying attention.

The following are common causes of ladder and stairway injuries:

• Mis-stepping or slipping while ascending or descending
• Loss of balance
• Lack of proper training on safe ladder and stairway use
• Improperly getting on or off the ladder
• Improperly setting up the ladder
• Overreaching while on the ladder
• Using the wrong type of ladder
• Exceeding the maximum weight capacity
• Climbing with heavy tools or materials
• Oil, grease, mud, or other slippery materials on steps, rungs, or footwear

To learn more about Ladder & Stairway Safety visit our Ladder & Stairway Safety Online Training web page.