These Ladder Safety Tips Could Help Save You from An Accident

Depending on your profession, using a ladder may be second nature. For example, if you work in the construction or roofing industry, you probably use a ladder almost every day of your life.

While there are many reasons to use a ladder, here’s something to remember: Accidents can and do happen every now and again. And as you can imagine, a fall from a ladder can cause serious injury or even death.

Here are some ladder safety tips you can follow to help prevent an accident:

• Inspect the ladder before you take the first step, as a defect or damage could result in a fall

• Always set a ladder on firm and level ground

• Don’t use a ladder that is too short or too tall for the job, as it can cause you to make an awkward movement when you reach the top

• Make sure you keep three points of contact with the ladder at all times

• Never carry a heavy load on a ladder, as it increases the likelihood of losing your balance

• Never stand on the top rung of a ladder

• Avoid leaning or stretching when standing on a ladder, as this could cause it to tip

• Don’t set a ladder in a high traffic area, as this increases the chance of someone bumping into it while in use

It’s easy to assume that you’ll always follow these ladder safety tips, but it can be a challenge to do so when you have so many other things on your mind.

If you are part of a ladder accident, such as one in which you fall to the ground, you shouldn’t hesitate to seek out medical attention. You should also inform your employer of the incident, as this could prevent additional trouble and can be very important when it comes to the pursuit of workers’ compensation benefits.

If you receive a workers’ compensation denial letter, read it from start to finish to better understand what went wrong. You may also want to seek out legal advice on how to file an appeal to try to have the denial overturned.