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Things you need to consider before you use a ladder at work

Jun 4, 2019 | Blog, Industrial Accident, Injuries, Workers Compensation

Home » Things you need to consider before you use a ladder at work

Falling at Work Lawyer, O'Fallon, IlIf you perform any kind of manual labor, there is a good chance that you will need to use a ladder at some point. Anytime you are high off the ground, you run the risk of falling. As workplace injury attorneys in O’Fallon, IL we want to inform you of the risks you assume at work.

We all know how dangerous it can be to fall even a short distance. You need to make sure that you are physically prepared for your work before you take the first step up a ladder.

Questions to ask yourself before you begin working

To clarify whether a task is safe or not, you should analyze the situation. Ask yourself the following. When you are working high up, will you need to:

• Hold heavy objects?
• Be at the top of a long, potentially unstable ladder?
• Stay up there for a long time?
• Stand sideways?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, your task may be too dangerous for just a ladder. You should look into a different method of getting up there. A scissor lift or scaffolding with guard rails may be more stable for your work.

Tips for using the ladder

There might be no other option besides a ladder for your task. In this case, you should still follow the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommendations for proper ladder use. Make sure that:

• The ladder is tall enough that you don’t need to stand on the top rung
• You are wearing proper shoes to avoid slipping
• The base is secure and level
• You extend the ladder fully before climbing it
• Both of your hands are free to climb with
• Any doors near the ladder are locked

Following these best practices may not completely eliminate the risk of using a ladder–but it can reduce it. If you are injured while using a ladder at work, you may have to deal with high costs of medical treatment while missing work. An experienced attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve.

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