According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s
most recent list of common workplace safety violations, fall protection
topped the list, along with ladders at #7. Ladders are used in nearly
every industry and for that reason, they account for a large number of
workplace injuries and deaths. How exactly do they happen? Below are a
few common causes of
ladder accidents at work.
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Wrong Type of Ladder: Not all ladders are created equal. For this reason, it’s important
to consider each ladder’s weight capacity. If a ladder’s weight
limit is exceeded, it may break, causing someone to fall +and be injured.
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Work or Damaged Ladder: Another common factor that results in injuries is using an old or damaged
ladder. While ladders may seem indestructible at times, they don’t
last forever. Take into account how old the ladder is, how many times
it’s been used and how much weight is put on it on a daily basis.
Always inspect a ladder and check for any cracks or wobbly steps before
climbing one, especially at an elevated height.
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Incorrect Use of Ladder: Human error is another leading cause of ladder injury accidents. While
it may seem obvious, never use a ladder in any other way than is intended
by the manufacturer. That includes altering the ladder to make it longer.
In addition, always keep a total of three hands and feet in contact with
the ladder at all times to prevent falling.
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Incorrect Placement of Ladder: Never place the ladder on uneven floor or in front of an unguarded door,
unless it is securely locked. Always place the ladder on level and firm
ground, away from any potential hazards.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a ladder accident at work, please
contact our
Long Island personal injury lawyers at Gruenberg Kelly Della today.
Call (888) 305-6372 or contact us online
for a free initial consultation.