March Is National Ladder Safety Month

Ladders are a fixture in nearly every home and workplace across the United States, so it should come as no surprise that we observe National Ladder Safety Month every March to learn how to better reduce preventable ladder-related injuries and fatalities. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that falls from ladders are one of the leading causes of occupational deaths; according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ladder-related accidents also account for over 500,000 injuries and 300 deaths annually. To ring in this year’s National Ladder Safety Month, we have compiled a variety of useful tips for both occupational and residential settings below.

Ways to Avoid Ladder-Related Accidents

Although many of the safety tips for how to handle, use, and maintain ladders apply equally to the home and the workplace, there are some notable differences. One example of this is that employers are legally obligated to provide training to workers. Differences aside, some of the primary risk factors for ladder-related injuries include overreaching, using the wrong ladder for the job, and falling. Other causes include overextending, loss of balance, slippery surfaces, and ladder defects.

When someone is injured while using a ladder, they can sustain injuries that range from minor to life-threatening, such as:

• Broken bones, especially in the arms, legs, hip, and/or ribs
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), concussions, and other types of brain injuries
• Head injuries
• Neck injuries
• Spinal cord injuries, which can lead to loss of sensation and partial or full paralysis
• Internal injuries
• Lacerations, strains, sprains, and bruises
• Electrical injuries

According to OSHA, there are a few questions you should ask yourself before you even start a job where you will be using a ladder. These questions are whether you will have to hold heavy items while on the ladder if the elevated area is so high that it would require a long ladder that may be unstable if you will be working at the height for a long period of time, and if you will have to stand sideways on the ladder to do your work. OSHA says that if you answer yes to any of the questions, a ladder may not be the right – or safe — kind of equipment to use for the job. In a residential setting, this is when it is best to look for outside help from a professional. In the workplace, you may want to consider using alternative equipment.

To reduce known ladder-related dangers, OSHA recommends observing the following safety tips:

• Before using a ladder, check it carefully for visible defects and to make sure that it is in good working condition; check the ladder in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Read and follow all labels and markings on a ladder.
• Remember to maintain three points of contact: two hands and a foot or two feet and one hand. Keep your body near the middle of the step, and be sure to face the ladder while you are climbing.
• Make sure that you use the right ladder for the job. This involves ensuring that the ladder is high enough for you to reach your work area without having to stand on the top rung. Do not work on the top rung of the ladder
• Wear appropriate footwear, like non-slip, flat shoes.
• The base of the ladder should always be secured. Never move or shift a ladder while someone is using it.
• Place the ladder on a stable level and ground, NEVER on an uneven surface.
• Prevent passersby from walking underneath or near a ladder by using barriers, like cones, or by having a coworker (or a friend or family member) act as a lookout.
• Do not lean away from the ladder to carry out your work.
• Do not carry any tools or materials in your hand(s) while using a ladder.
• If you are using an extension ladder, make sure that all the locks are properly engaged.
• Do not exceed the ladder’s maximum load rating, which includes the weight of your tools and/or equipment.

When to Speak with an Attorney?

If you were injured in an incident involving a ladder at home or at work, it may be a good idea to speak with an attorney. An experienced attorney can investigate whether negligence or a defect was a factor in your accident and can help you file a claim seeking damages. Our attorneys fight tirelessly on behalf of injured victims to achieve the best results possible. If you would like to learn more about filing a claim, contact a representative online now who can help.

Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP, Representing Injured Victims Since 1947

Contact the Philadelphia workers’ compensation attorneys at Galfand Berger LLP today. Call us at 800-222-USWA (8792) or fill out our online form for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, we serve clients throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Allentown and Harrisburg.