Did you know that falling from heights is the leading cause of death in the construction industry? According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls accounted for nearly 40 percent of construction worker fatalities in 2015. It is more than reasonable to assume that many others suffered a serious personal injury due to falling.
Ladders are an integral part of a construction worker’s arsenal of tools, but they pose a falling risk as well. The construction industry in California can be a busy and hectic enterprise but workers should never become complacent about safety. To help you and others like you avoid dangerous falls from a ladder, please review the safety tips listed below.
- Ensure your ladder angles safely against the building or structure. Experts recommend an angle of about 75 degrees.
- Never climb higher than the fourth rung from the top of the ladder.
- Make sure the ladder extends at least three feet beyond the edge of a building whenever you are climbing onto a roof.
- If possible, secure the top as well as the bottom of the ladder before using.
- Avoid using ladders on uneven or slippery surfaces.
- Give the ladder a once over for damage or dangerous conditions before climbing.
- Use a three-point contact system when using ladders such as two feet and one hand or two hands and one foot.
Suffering a personal injury on-the-job often results in costly medical expenses as well as lost wages from missing work. The best way to ensure you receive the maximum compensation available for your hardships is by speaking with a personal injury attorney about your options.
Source: California Department of Health Services, Occupational Health Branch, “How to prevent a ladder fall,” accessed April 11, 2017
