Ladders are the reason for a lot of workplace accidents, and many of the annual ladder falls in the United States occur simply because workers make mistakes. They may not realize they’ve done so until after the event. It only becomes clear later, when it has catastrophic consequences.
This is why it is so important for employers to offer proper training and guidance. They should also never pressure workers to skip safety steps or rush through anything just to be more productive.
Safety tips you can use
If you feel that your own training has been lacking, here are some safety tips that can help you avoid the mistakes people tend to make:
- Never climb on the wrong side of the ladder, even if it seems easier to reach your objective.
- Never have two people use the same ladder at the same time.
- Never carry heavy or awkward items in your hands while climbing.
- Never use a ladder that you haven’t inspected first or that has been set up by someone else.
- Never lean to either side when you’re climbing the ladder or working at the top.
- Never climb the very top rungs of the latter and never stand on the very top platform.
- Never use a ladder on a slick surface or in high winds, rain or other weather conditions.
Always read the instruction labels and the safety advice that is on the ladder itself before using it.
These tips can certainly help, but there are a lot of reasons for workplace accidents and falls. If you do get injured in a fall, no matter how it happens, just be sure you know how to seek worker’s compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and more.