Every year, more workers are injured in falls from ladders than
from any other elevated surface — including roofs, scaffolds,
balconies, and even stairs. Why? Most falls happen because
workers select the wrong type of ladder for their job or they
set up the ladder improperly and the ladder unexpectedly shifts
or slips. Or, their foot slips, they lose their balance, they
overreach, or something knocks the ladder over. Now, if you need
help convincing skeptical co-workers or employers how ladder
accidents really happen, you can share the details of every
ladder accident reported to Oregon OSHA from 2007-2011. Oregon
OSHA staffer Craig Hamelund recently summarized all OSHA 170
Fatality and Catastrophe Investigation Summaries involving
ladders during those years. You’ll find the following summaries
under Ladders on Oregon OSHA’s website: Heads up construction-
industry employers: If you have employees who use ladders, make
sure that a competent person has trained them. Training must
cover ladder hazards, how to us