One of the most dangerous things you can do while on the job is to get on a ladder. While many jobs require you to use a ladder, they can be dangerous and a fall from high up on a ladder may lead to a Connecticut workers’ compensation claim.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, it is estimated that 81% of all fall injuries for construction workers involve a ladder. This is a staggering percentage, but if necessary safety precautions are taken we may be able to reduce that number and save lives. If you are a construction worker or someone who works with ladders on your job, you will want to follow some of these steps to stay safe.
-
Make sure your ladder is securely square on the ground. If a ladder is off balance before you even get on it you are asking for an injury. Make sure both feet of the ladder are on even footing and that the ladder does not wobble when moved with your hands.
-
Use a spotter. While it may be difficult to find someone who can spot you while on the ladder at your job, it could help save your life. A spotter can stabilize a shaky ladder and also watch for you so you can avoid taking a misstep or falling due to lack of vision.
-
Do not overreach. If an item or a repair is out of your reach, even when using a ladder, do not attempt to stretch to reach it, get down off the ladder and move the ladder so you can more easily reach it.
-
Wear protective gear. One of the deadliest types of falls off of a ladder is when a worker falls off the ladder and hits her/his head. Without the proper protective gear this could lead to serious lacerations or concussions and may even result in a traumatic brain injury (TBI.) Wearing a helmet while climbing a ladder is one of the best things you can do to keep yourself safe.
While ladders are a necessary tool to be used on many jobs sites they do not have to result in serious injury when at work. Taking the proper precautions and safety measures and utilizing the ladders in a safe way will help to limit the amount of workplace injuries that occur as a result of a fall from high atop a ladder. If an injury were to occur, it may become a Connecticut workers’ compensation claim.
If you’re a worker who is on ladders for your job and you’ve experienced a fall that has led to an injury you may need to speak with an attorney who can review your case and help guide you through the process of filing a claim. Contact one of our board-certified attorneys to speak with someone about your case.
