Construction workers use all types of ladders for all types of jobs. From painting to roofing, the use of a ladder can help speed up a project and increase efficiency.
Even though there are many benefits of using a ladder on a construction site, a simple mistake can result in an accident. Here are some safety tips you can follow:
- Maintain three points of contact: You should always have three points of contact on the ladder. Your options include two feet and one hand, or one foot and two hands.
- Place the ladder on level and firm ground: Proper ladder placement is important, as uneven or soft ground greatly increases the chance of an accident.
- Watch your steps: Many ladder accidents happen when climbing down, often as the result of losing track of your location. You don’t want to miss the last rung (or two), as this can cause you to fall to the ground.
- Don’t place your ladder close to traffic: This includes both pedestrians and vehicles.
- Don’t carry a heavy load: With a heavy load, any movement to the side could result in the ladder tipping over. There are better ways to transport heavy loads to height.
Even with many years of construction experience, you may forget to follow these ladder safety tips.
If you’re injured in a ladder accident at work, report the incident to your supervisor and receive immediate medical care. Your injuries may require you to miss work for an extended period of time. This should lead you to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits.
