FACTS
- Falls from ladders are the leading cause of deaths on construction sites.
- Over the past decade, the number of people who have died from falls from ladders has tripled.
- Falls from ladders are the leading cause of ladder-related injuries, followed by using a ladder improperly, using a faulty or defective ladder, and simple carelessness.
- Ladders are available in many forms ranging from: attic ladders, orchard ladders, and roof ladders to sectional ladders, cat ladders, Christmas tree ladders,
- There are 4 main types of ladder injuries. These include injuries related to: selecting the wrong type of ladder, using worn/damaged ladders, using ladders incorrectly, and placing ladders incorrectly.
- Fractures are the most common type of ladder-related injury.
STATS
- In 2018, 150 workers died while using a ladder. (BLS)
- In 2017, there were 20,000 non-fatal workplace injuries involving ladders. (BLS)
- According to the BLS, 50% of all ladder-related injuries occurred when the individual was climbing with objects in their hands.
- 500,000 people receive medical treatment in the U.S. annually due to ladder use, according to the CPSC.
- According to the World Health Organization, the United States leads the world in ladder deaths. Each year, there are more than 164,000 emergency room-treated injuries and 300 deaths in the U.S. that are caused by falls from ladders.
- Most ladder deaths are from falls of 10 feet or less.
- Elevated falls account for almost 700 occupational deaths annually.
- More than 90,000 people receive emergency room treatment from ladder-related injuries every year.
- The most common type of ladder-related injury, with 32%, is fractures.