Ladders are often overlooked as a risk because of how commonly they’re used, but in fact, it’s incredibly common to find yourself with an injury because of using one.
Falls from a height, including ladder fall injuries, are the most common cause of fatal injury at work in the UK. In the UK alone, there were 29 fatalities as a result of falling from a ladder in 2021/22. The number of ladder deaths per year worldwide, however, has been as high as 300 in recent years.
Most Common Ladder Accidents
To stay safe when working with ladders, you need to be aware of the possible dangers you’re exposed to. The most frequent causes of injury when working from a ladder are as follows:
Using the Wrong Ladder
When using a ladder, you should consider factors like its weight capacity, material, and height. You might, for example, choose a stepladder for your job due to its ease of transportation.
However, it might not be tall enough to effectively reach the surface you need to work on. In this case, trying to strain to reach may cause a strenuous injury, or even cause you to fall from the ladder.
Setting Up the Ladder Badly
Setting up a ladder correctly is crucial for ensuring that it’s safe to use. It must be used on a stable, flat surface, and set up at the proper angle. Perhaps most importantly, the ladder should be attached to a vertical surface.
Improper Training
Not having the right training when using any kind of equipment, ladders included, can pose a major risk. Workers using ladders should be trained in how to select a ladder, set it up, and how to safely climb and descend a ladder.
Distractions
If workers are distracted by their phones, conversations, or other things going on nearby, their concentration on the task at hand is likely to slip. If this is the case, they’re at a much higher risk of falling when climbing a ladder.
Employees should turn off their phones and hold one another accountable for paying attention to their tasks when their safety is at risk.
Inappropriate Footwear
Wearing inappropriate footwear, namely footwear without a secure grip like flip flops or sandals, is a common cause of ladder accidents. Workers should always wear slip-resistant shoes when working on ladders, and ensure that all their clothing is appropriate.
For example, any loose clothing could also become entangled in the ladder and cause a fall. Fitted clothing should be worn, and long hair should be tied back.
Poor Lighting
As with any physical work, poor lighting makes it more difficult to complete safely. Workers should provide, or be provided with, sufficient lighting to see what they’re working on properly.
If a ladder is to be used in an area with unavoidable poor lighting, workers should inspect their ladders beforehand to ensure they’re safe to use.
Poor Weather
Working outdoors, the weather presents a range of its own risks when working from a ladder. Rain can obscure vision, wind can put the ladder’s stability at risk, and anything other than still, dry sun could potentially cause a ladder to be slippery or off-balance.
If it’s unavoidable to use a ladder in bad weather, workers should use extra precautions. Wearing non-slip boots and being trained beforehand for this particular scenario will somewhat reduce the risk of injury.
Use the Right Signage
Ultimately, a large number of hazards can be minimised by correctly signposting and labelling the danger. At Label Source, you can find safety signs and labels for all scenarios, making your workplace as safe as possible. Get in touch today to find out how we can help you and your workplace.
