If you have to work on ladders, climbing to those heights may make you nervous. Or you may have gotten used to it over the time that you’ve been employed. Either way, it’s important to know that ladders are one of the top reasons for workplace injuries and fatalities each and every year.
Fortunately, there are some things that you can do to stay safe. Consider the following tips:
- Never climb on the highest rungs.
- Respect the weight limits.
- Never climb on the backside of the ladder.
- Never have multiple people use the same ladder.
- Refrain from carrying items in your hands.
- Climb down and move the ladder instead of leaning to the side.
- Check all surfaces carefully before setting up the ladder.
- Perform ladder inspections on a consistent basis.
- Watch out for overhead power lines and other hazards.
- Always maintain three points of contact.
Any time that you’re working on the ladder, go slowly and be very careful, understanding the ramifications of a slip.
What if you’re still injured?
These tips can certainly help you work in a safe manner, but it’s true that even safe workers sometimes get injured. Accidents still happen. Some workplaces are simply hazardous and there’s nothing you can do to fully remove all of the risks from the industry. You could be injured on the job, and that injury could be significant.
If this does happen to you, then you need to make sure you know about all of your rights to workers’ compensation. It can sometimes be difficult to get exactly the level of conversation you deserve, so you need to know the steps to take.