When people think of dangerous equipment and tools on a construction site, they often think of heavy machines, saws and nail guns. However, one of the most dangerous pieces of equipment you can find on a construction site is a ladder.
Common causes of ladder-related injuries
Some of the most common reasons why ladder accidents occur include:
- Using the wrong type of ladder
- Failing to have or use fall-protection systems while on a ladder
- Setting up the ladder at an improper angle
- Failing to train workers to use ladders safely
- Neglecting ladder inspections and maintenance
- Placing the ladder on an unstable or slippery surface
- Overloading a ladder
These conditions can increase the likelihood that someone could fall and suffer severe, potentially life-threatening injuries.
Negligence on a job site
Several state and federal regulations address the proper use of ladders on construction sites. These rules range from specifying which type of ladder parties should use to properly installing safety devices.
Unfortunately, parties do not always take these regulations seriously. In some cases, people repeatedly violate safety protocols. For instance, one contractor recently received his sixth citation for failing to protect roofers on his job sites.
When contractors, subcontractors and others do not follow the rules for safely using ladders on construction sites, workers can fall and be seriously injured. Too often, these falls prove to be fatal.
Recognizing the risk is crucial to preventing accidents
Falls from ladders are among the most common – and devastating – types of construction accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hundreds of people die in ladder-related falls every year.
Understanding what the risks are when it comes to ladders can make it easier for contractors to prevent them and for construction workers to protect themselves.
