Any worker who has to spend any time at all on ladders while on the clock should understand the potential risks that come along with ladder usage.
This includes fall risks, which make up the majority of ladder-related accidents. What exactly should workers know about these falls?
The misuse of ladders
The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors discusses the prevalence of ladder falls. These falls largely end up categorized as avoidable mishaps, first and foremost. This means that many of these incidents could have been avoided if workers used ladders safely.
Workers may misuse ladders for many reasons. Some may want to get things done faster. Others may not even know the proper protocol for using a ladder in a safe way because the management does not provide such information or training.
Undertrained workers can easily make numerous mistakes that may lead to incidents and injury. For example, many people do not know you cannot stand above a certain rung on the ladder or you risk tipping it over. Many also do not know you must maintain three points of contact with the ladder at all times, or that you should not use a ladder in a place with a lot of foot traffic without setting up a large safety zone.
Ladder fall injuries
Ladder falls can also result in injuries ranging from mild to severe, and some workers even die by falling from ladders, even from heights that do not seem very tall. Broken bones, back injuries and head injuries serve as the most common.
Due to the severity of fall incidents, it is important for workers to have this crucial safety training.