Many workplace accidents happen when workers are using ladders. It is certainly possible for a worker to be injured in a slip-and-fall accident on the same level. But accidents tend to get more serious when workers are any distance above the ground, whether that’s five feet on a step ladder or 30 feet on an extension ladder.
So how can workers stay safe and avoid these accidents? Let’s take a look at a few common safety tips below.
Focus on safety
Now, even if workers make mistakes on the job, they can still seek workers’ comp benefits because they were hurt in the course of their employment. It doesn’t matter if their boss is at fault or not, or even if they are at fault in most situations. Workers are still covered by workers’ comp laws because there is an understanding that working itself can be hazardous to a person’s health.
That being said, here are some safety tips that may help. Workers should:
- Always keep three points of contact.
- Never have two workers on the ladder at the same time.
- Never try to “walk” the ladder to a new location.
- Never try to lean to the side if they can’t reach something while on the ladder.
- Carefully inspect the ladder to ensure that it was set up properly.
- Read all of the safety instructions that come with it.
- Pay attention to the weight limits.
- Never rush, always focusing on safety over productivity.
These tips may reduce the odds of an accident, but injuries can still happen on the job. Those who have been hurt need to know about the legal steps they can take next.
