Some jobs require employees to use a ladder a lot. For example, painters, arborists, firefighters and power company workers may all use a ladder on a daily basis. Other jobs may rarely if ever require an employee to go up a ladder. Someone only does so to change a sign or put up or remove seasonal decorations, etc.
You only need to fall from a ladder once to incur a serious injury. So it is crucial that your employer does a few things before asking you to use one:
Ensure the ladders provided are in good working order
Ladders can wear, deteriorate and break. Someone needs to be in charge of keeping on top of the condition of the ladder and assessing whether it is fit to continue in service or needs replacing.
Ensure staff who will use them are appropriately trained
An employer should ensure anyone they ask to ascend a ladder has appropriate training. It should leave you equipped to make decisions about:
- Suitable attire: Footwear needs to be able to grip the rungs. In some cases, footwear that helps prevent an electric shock is also appropriate.
- How to place the ladder: A poorly placed ladder is dangerous. The ground the ladder rests on and the surface the top rests against must be secure to avoid the ladder moving.
- The hazards to look for: Overhead cables could cause electrocution. Passers-by or vehicles could knock the ladder at the base. An outward opening window could hit the ladder higher up.
Falling from a ladder can leave you with injuries that take time and money to heal and require time off work. In most circumstances, you should be eligible for workers’ compensation, regardless of whether you and your employer fulfilled your respective safety obligations. Learning how to get it will be important if you find yourself in this situation.