Don’t take ladder safety for granted

Using a ladder at work may look the same as using one at home, but there are differences that can lead to serious injuries. Workers can be more focused on the job than they are on setting up and climbing a ladder. They may spend more time on the ladder at work than they would for a household chore. Many workers share the equipment so they may not always know if it’s in good condition.

Each year workers are seriously injured or killed due to falls from ladders. In 2020, there were 161 fatal work injuries involving ladders as the primary source; this total includes 105 deaths from movable ladders and five deaths from fixed ladders. Additionally, there were over 22,700 injuries involving ladders in 2020.

What are the some of the causes?

Some of the major causes of ladder falls are:

• Inappropriate ladder for the task,
• Incorrect extension ladder setup angle,
• Insufficient ladder inspection, and
• Improper ladder use.

Equipment defects and lack of training contribute to accidents

OSHA’s walking-working surfaces regulations include ladder inspection requirements. Ladders must be inspected before initial use in each work shift, and more frequently as necessary, to identify any visible defects that could cause employee injury. An example of an “as necessary” inspection might arise if a ladder falls over and strikes a hard surface. If that happens, the ladder should be inspected again before being used again.

If workers find structural defects, corrosion, or other defective parts during an inspection, the ladder must immediately be tagged “Dangerous: Do Not Use” or with similar language and removed from service until repaired or replaced.

Workers must be trained on the proper use of ladders, correct climbing techniques, and how to use any safety systems that are in place. OSHA clarifies proper climbing techniques in 1910.23. Workers must:

• Face the ladder while climbing up and down it.
• Maintain three points of contact while climbing up and down the ladder. This requires that the worker firmly grasps the ladder with one hand at all times.
• Not carry anything up or down a ladder that could cause them to lose their balance and fall.

Other ladder safety precautions include:

• Select a ladder with adequate length and load limits.
• Don’t use metal ladders near electrical lines.
• Set up the ladder on a firm, solid surface.
• Keep areas around the top and bottom of the ladder clear.
• Fully open a stepladder and lock the spreaders.
• Store ladders securely in designated areas on racks or hooks.