Depending on your trade and on the project on which you are working, you may have to work at heights on scaffoldings or ladders. Did you know that falls from heights are the leading cause of deaths and injuries in the construction industry? Among these accidents, ladders are one of the leading causes of these fatalities.
Causes of accidents
The most common causes of accidents when using ladders are:
- Overreaching while using the ladder
- Not having three points of contact when climbing up and down the ladder
- Missing a step while climbing up or down the ladder
- Using a ladder that does not meet the project requirements
- Placing the ladder on uneven ground
Tips on how to prevent falls from ladders
Accidents can be avoided by following safe work practices. It is important to plan each project and to ensure that the job will be done safely. Here are some tips to prevent injuries when using ladders on jobsites:
- Select the correct ladder ensuring that it has the load capacity needed.
- Make sure that your ladder is tall enough to reach the work area.
- Never stand on the top rungs of your ladder.
- When climbing up and down, always maintain three points of contact with the ladder. This will ensure a safe use <<Two hands/a foot, or two feet/one hand>>.
- Do not carry tools or materials in your hands when climbing the ladder.
- Always climb facing the ladder and do not skip any steps.
- Keep your body centered between the lateral uprights when working on the ladder.
- Place the ladder on stable and leveled ground and always secure its base.
These tips can be useful and guide you when working at heights. We also recommend getting proper training as it will help avoid accidents and provide all the information to work safely on jobsites. Many associations, such as the American Ladder Institute, offer training programs.
Is a ladder the best option for you?
In addition to training and to applying the basic rules of using ladders properly, you may ask yourself the following questions to plan your work properly:
- Do I need to hold heavy objects when climbing my ladder?
- Is my working area too high to use a ladder?
- Is it unsafe to use a ladder for this job?
- Will I be working at heights for a long period of time?
- Do I have to stretch on the side of the ladder to reach my working area?
If you answered yes to one of the above questions, then you may want to revise your decision of using a ladder and consider using other tools that are safer and more appropriate. Many options are available, among other things, stairs, scaffolding, pump jacks, scissor lifts, etc.
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