LADDER INJURY

Ladder injuries account for over 500,000 personal injuries and claims in the United States. Whether these injuries are slip and falls or due to collapsing ladders, ladder injuries are a common cause of grief and hospitalization.

Workers in commercial and industrial construction sites are especially at risk because of the constant use of ladders and scaffolds to reach elevated areas. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) periodically publishes material on construction safety concerns. Ladder injuries are always at the top of the list of occupational hazards.

Below are some rules that should be considered while using a ladder:

• Make sure the weight your ladder is supporting does not exceed its maximum load rating (user plus materials).
• Straight, single or extension ladders should be set up at about a 75-degree angle.
• All metal ladders should have slip-resistant feet.
• Be sure all locks on extension ladders are properly engaged.
• The ground under the ladder should be level and firm.
• Do not place a ladder in front of a door that is not locked, blocked or guarded.
• Keep your body centered between the rails of the ladder at all times.
• Do not use a ladder for any purpose other than that for which it was intended.
• Never leave a raised ladder unattended.
• Follow use instruction labels on ladders.

Other points to remember when raising and positioning a ladder are:

• Never use a ladder in strong wind or stormy weather.
• The point where the ladder rests against the wall should be flat and firm.
• A ladder should not be placed in front of a door that is not locked, blocked or guarded.
• Before positioning the ladder, check for insect or bird nests under the eaves; the top of a ladder is no place to discover a wasp nest.

We here at New York Construction Accident Attorneys.com will use our years of experience in handling construction ladder accident cases to investigate every possible factor that would cause your accident, and to ensure that you will receive full compensation for your injuries.

If you or one of your loved ones has been injured as the result of a construction or ladder accident please call or email us now to ensure that you take the right steps. Your initial consultation is free “if we don’t win you don’t pay,” so call immediately.

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