Preventing a stepladder accident

Many people regularly encounter the chance of being involved in a stepladder accident in the course of their working week. These ladders are perhaps most often used in the construction industry, but may also be used by everyone from painters and decorators to agricultural workers and electrical engineers.

Whilst stepladders are not as tall as collapsible ladders and workers may not fall as far if an accident does occur, serious personal injuries are still all too common. Back injuries are particularly frequent in falls of this kind, often causing much discomfort and requiring a lengthy rehabilitation period. It is thus sensible that ladder fall injuries are prevented altogether wherever possible.

Stepladder safety
First and foremost, it is essential that you select the right stepladder for the job. Stepladders come in a range of heights and if you choose one that is either too short or too long, you will end up being forced to overreach. This situation is a classic accident waiting to happen and can so easily be avoided.

Once you have found a stepladder which is the right height, it is important to adhere to the basic safety principles which you would consider with the use of any ladder. These include checking that the treads are clean, that there is no dangerous wear, and that it is standing on a flat, dry surface. Read more about other basic training.

When you are satisfied that the stepladder itself is safe, you should check that the locking mechanism has clicked into place and the ladder is fully open. If you are not certain that this is the case, do not use it until the appropriate person has checked it over. The last thing you want is it to collapse when you are on it.

When working on a stepladder, you should keep both feet on the same step or rung. This gives you the most stable position to work from and reduces the chance of slipping. It is never advisable to try to carry any heavy materials up the Health and Safety Executive's recommended weight limit for carried equipment is 10kg. The HSE also advises workers to take regular breaks from working on the stepladder, not spending more than 15 to 30 minutes on it at once.

Claiming compensation after a stepladder accident
If you have been hurt in a stepladder accident at work which you believe could have been prevented, you may well be eligible for personal injury compensation.

At YouClaim, we can match you up with a no win, no fee solicitor with specialist experience in work accident claims like yours. There are absolutely no costs or fees to pay, whether or not your claim is successful. We also promise to make no deductions from any compensation awarded.

We make it as simple as possible to make a no win, no fee claim and our personal injury lawyers are always willing to talk through your case with you in plain English. We provide support and help for our customers so as to get you on the road to recovery as soon as possible.

If you would like to find out whether you could make a compensation claim against your employer, call us now on 0800 10 757 95. Alternatively, you can explain your ladder accident to us online via e-chat, or leave a call-back request if you would like to speak to an advisor at a later time.