Ladder Inspection Stats and Facts

FACTS

  1. Damaged or Worn Components: Cracks, splits, or missing parts in ladder rails, rungs, or feet can compromise structural integrity, leading to potential collapses.
  2. Loose or Missing Hardware: Loose nails, screws, bolts, or nuts can cause instability, increasing the risk of falls.
  3. Corrosion and Rust: Metal ladders exposed to moisture may develop rust, weakening the ladder and posing safety hazards.
  4. Warped or Twisted Rails: Distorted ladder rails can affect balance and stability during use.
  5. Defective Locks and Spreaders: Faulty locking mechanisms or spreaders can result in unexpected ladder movement or collapse.
  6. Worn Non-Slip Feet: Damaged or missing non-slip feet can cause the ladder to slip on smooth surfaces.
  7. Missing Identification Labels: Absence of labels can lead to misuse or overloading beyond the ladder’s capacity.

STATS

  • OSHA’s 2023 data reported that 22% of ladder-related violations involved inadequate inspections, contributing to 4,000 fall injuries annually in construction and maintenance.
  • WorkSafeBC noted in 2022 that 10% of ladder fall incidents in British Columbia were linked to uninspected or defective ladders, with 15% involving missing anti-slip feet.
  • The CDC’s 2023 NIOSH Fall Safety Report estimated that 30% of ladder falls in warehousing were due to undetected defects, preventable with proper pre-use inspections.
  • Statistics Canada’s 2021 Workplace Safety Survey found that 8% of workers in high-risk industries lacked access to ladder inspection training, correlating with higher fall rates.
  • A 2022 Journal of Safety Research study indicated that 25% of ladder injuries were linked to failure to tag or remove defective ladders, per OSHA 1926.1053 standards.
  • CCOHS reported in 2023 that workplaces with documented ladder inspection programs reduced fall incidents by 20%, aligning with CSA Z11 guidelines.
  • A 2024 EHS Today analysis found that 12% of ladder-related injuries (approximately 2,500 cases) involved uninspected ladders, addressable through ANSI A14-compliant checks.