If you set it up with too steep an angle you can risk falling backward with the ladder, especially if you have something heavy on your back. If you set it up not steep enough, the ladder is more inclined to slip backward when you climb it.
Incorrect extension ladder set up angle
In about 40% of cases, the cause of the ladder-related injury is a ladder sliding out at the base from an incorrect set up angle. Set up extension ladders at about a 75-degree angle.
Improper placement is one of the leading causes of ladder accidents. Placing a ladder on uneven or unstable ground increases the risk of it slipping or tipping over, causing you to fall. Neglecting to secure the base of the ladder further compounds this risk.
Moreover, approximately 20 percent of fall injuries involve ladders, and among construction workers, an estimated 81% of fall injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms involve a ladder.
The safest way to secure a ladder before you start climbing is to hook or tie the ladder to a sturdy anchor point. Ladder hooks can secure the ladder to a fixed point such as a locating bar for wall fixing.
Always maintain three points of contact with the ladder—one hand and two feet, or two hands and one foot. And never allow a second person on the ladder with you. Center your weight between the ladder rails at all times, and avoid sudden, jerky movements. Never extend your reach more than 12 inches outside the rails.
According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), using stairs instead of ladders in applicable situations can reduce the risk of fall-related injuries by up to 65%, as stairs provide a more stable and secure means of elevation, especially when carrying items.
Falling from a ladder is a hazard that can result in sprains, strains, multiple fractures and even death. The best way to prevent falls is to work on the ground whenever possible. Otherwise, an elevating platform or scaffold should be used to perform a task at a height.
In recent years, the number of people hospitalised for injuries as a result of falls on and from ladders has more than doubled. If you are aged 65 years or older, you are more at risk of serious injuries from falls.
Common Hazards
Reaching or leaning too far rather than moving the ladder. Placing the ladder on boxes or pallets to gain height. Climbing the ladder while carrying items. Standing on the very top step or rung when the ladder is too short for the task.
Broken Bones and Fractures
One of the most common injuries you may suffer after falling off a ladder is a broken bone or a bone fracture. Ladder injuries commonly include broken arms, wrists, hips, and ankles.
One of the most frequent ladder accidents occurs when the ladder tips over due to improper placement or user error. This often happens when the user leans too far to one side or reaches beyond the ladders capacity, causing it to become unbalanced and fall.
Based on these calculations, the time it takes to fall from a 10-foot ladder is approximately 0.79 seconds.
Ladders with a flared base, or a base that extends farther out than typical ladders, offer extra support and stability. Extension ladders and ladders that can be adjusted have locks that ensure your safety. Ladders with slip-resistant rungs or steps help prevent accidents.
To help make sure the ladder angle is at the safest position to work from- you should use the 1-in-4 rule. This is where the ladder should be one space or unit of measurement out for every four spaces or units up (a 75° angle)
The colour coding on each ladder should be easy to see and will immediately identify what class they belong to: Class 1 ladders – The market norm for this class is a blue label. Class EN131 – These ladders will be marked green or yellow. Class III – The equipment within this class is marked with a grey label.
Using the Wrong Ladder
Use the right type for the job, as settled by the risk assessment. It's also unsafe to work from the top three rungs of any leaning ladder or the top three steps of any step ladder. Ignoring this rule can lead to overbalancing, a consistent cause of ladder accidents.
Our advice is to take special care over the age of 60.
Elderly should be even less likely to climb ladders if they have any medical condition that affects their balance or mobility. This is because a fall from a ladder can be particularly dangerous and sometimes life-threatening.
Securing ladders and ladders used for access
If this is not possible, securely wedge the ladder (eg wedge the stiles against a wall) If you cannot achieve any of these options, foot the ladder. Footing is the last resort.
Each employee on a walking/working surface (horizontal and vertical surface) with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.
Most people are familiar with the saying that walking under a ladder is bad luck. What they might not know is that there is some truth to that old superstition. While origins of this myth vary depending on the culture, the most accepted version is that ladders were thought to resemble gallows in medieval times.
On a ladder do not use the top three rungs, on a stepladder do not use the top two steps unless an appropriate handrail is fitted. Never straddle a stepladder/ A frame ladder(see Figure 3). Ladders like most equipment used to support a load have load capacities.