Ladders are known to be dangerous, but did you know that your risk of getting hurt while using a ladder at work in Maryland could be higher than in other situations? Workplace accidents involving ladder falls have resulted in serious injuries and deaths in the past, and now there are statistics to back up that fact. According to an article from June 23, 43 percent of fatal falls at workplaces over the last decade have been attributed to ladder usage. Not only are 43 percent of those falls from ladders, but ladders were also found to be the leading cause of work-related injuries and deaths in the construction field.
Ladders are used commonly at work and home, so you'd think that people would know how to use them safely. Unfortunately, that's not the case, and the lack of proper ladder safety may be the reason behind these preventable injuries and deaths. Ladders, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons states, can be safer if you clean them off, place them on firm surfaces, inspect them for damage and loose screws or rungs, and make sure they lock into place. You shouldn't have to lean far to either side of the ladder to reach what you need to repair or work on, and you shouldn't stand on the top rung or step. Multiple people shouldn't use the ladder at the same time, unless the ladder was made for two people. Additionally, avoid using a ladder in bad weather. Ladders have resulted in 113 fatalities in 2011 and an estimated 15,400 non-fatal injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With this in mind, you should know that if proper ladder safety is not used at your job and you're hurt, then you may have a right to seek compensation for your injuries.