Even in times of coronavirus, traditional occupational safety remains an important topic, for example to prevent accidents involving ladders. The Employer's Liability Insurance Association for Energy, Textiles, Electrical, Media
erzeugnisse (BG ETEM) provides helpful tips to prevent ladder accidents. These tips are also helpful for anyone who uses a ladder at home for DIY work.
2684 accidents resulting from the use of ladders were reported to BG ETEM in 2018 alone. In the same year, 155 employees received a pension due to a ladder accident. This could be avoided by acting with foresight and following basic safety instructions.
These five tips should always be followed:
- Choosing the right ladder depends on the working height, the task, the duration of use and the ground conditions. Sometimes an aerial work platform is the safer choice.
- Set up single ladders at an angle of between 65 and 75 degrees to the ground. Never place leaning, extension or multi-purpose ladders against windows, masts or doors and always ensure that the ground is safe and level. In other words, do not set up on dirty floors or slippery surfaces. These ladders are the wrong choice if work requires a great deal of force.
- Never work free-handed and preferably not one-handed either. If the grip is too weak, the risk is too high. For example, carrying tools when using ladders often causes accidents. Use the 3-point method (contact with 2 feet and one hand or both hands and one foot) to climb a ladder safely. Also be careful when leaning out too far. It is better to dismount and reposition the ladder.
- The top three steps or rungs of a single or extension ladder are taboo. There is an acute risk of falling if there is no handhold. If this is not the case, a larger ladder must be used. If a ladder is used as an elevated workstation, the employee must always stand with both feet on a step or platform. Working from the ladder rung is no longer permitted.
- Defective ladders with missing steps or other elements that are deformed or show signs of wear must be disposed of immediately.
