Ladder Safety: Four Main Types of Ladder Accidents
A Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) report on ladder safety showed some startling statistics concerning the frequency and severity of ladder-related accidents in the United States. Every year thousands of people are injured and hundreds are killed. By understanding the causes of ladder accidents the vast majority could be prevented.
Four Main Types of Ladder Accidents:
- Selecting the Wrong Type of Ladder
- Using Worn or Damaged Ladders
- Incorrect Use of Ladders
- Incorrect Placement of Ladders
More than 90,000 people receive emergency room treatment from ladder-related injuries every year. Elevated falls account for almost 700 occupational deaths annually. These deaths account for 15% of all occupational deaths. OSHA believes 100% of all ladder accidents could be prevented if proper attention to equipment and climber training were provided. Over the last 10 years the amount of ladder-related injuries has increased 50%. According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 50% of all ladder-related accidents were due to individuals carrying items as they climbed. The most common type of ladder-related injury, with 32%, is fractures.