{"id":354,"date":"2011-07-20T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2011-07-20T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/compliance-signs.local\/study-of-workplace-ladder-falls-offers-safety-insights\/"},"modified":"2025-11-17T11:35:41","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T16:35:41","slug":"study-of-workplace-ladder-falls-offers-safety-insights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.compliancesigns.com\/blog\/study-of-workplace-ladder-falls-offers-safety-insights\/","title":{"rendered":"Study of Workplace Ladder Falls Offers Safety Insights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A survey of workplace ladder falls among U.S. workers identifies common activities that often lead to injuries – and offers areas to target for fall prevention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a study of 306 injured workers who were treated in emergency rooms, 51% of falls occurred when using step or trestle ladders, 40% when using extension or straight ladders, and 9% while using other ladder types (rolling, etc.). The workers were primarily from construction, installation, maintenance and repair professions. Fifty-percent of the workers had <3 years of job experience; however 31% had >10 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time of their fall, 51% of workers were standing or sitting while performing work directly from the ladder- most often installing, hanging an item or performing a repair. Another 28% were climbing down the ladder, while 11% were climbing up. Ladder movement was the most reported cause of falls (40%), but lost balance and foot slips \/ missed rungs were also common. Environmental conditions played a role in <10% of cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Injuries were most frequently to the arm, elbow or shoulder, followed by the head, neck or face. Diagnoses were primarily fractures, strains, sprains, bruises or abrasions. Ladder falls comprise 16% of all US workplace fall-related fatalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good targets for ladder safety intervention:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

– Tasks involving less than three points of contact with the ladder
– Proper ladder set-up, such as anchoring or tying off the top of the ladder
– Sitting or facing away from the ladder rungs\/steps
– Descending from the working position<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best practices for ladder users include:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

– Using three points of contact at all times on the ladder
– Pausing for several seconds with the head in a neutral position before descending, to help restore balance
– Looking at the next lower step\/rung before moving the foot that will be placed on it
– Facing the ladder at all times and keeping the body within the side rails
– Following manufacturer recommendations on maximum working height
– The study is available online from the Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ladder Safety Resources:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n