Extension-Ladder Safety: Solutions and Knowledge Gaps

Details

• Personal Author:
  Hsiao H ; McDougall V ; Pizatella T ; Simeonov P ; Stout N ; Weeks J
• Description:
  Falls from ladders are the second leading cause for work-related fatalities in the US construction industry. A significant portion of these incidents occurs at building-construction-and-maintenance worksites during the use of extension ladders. This paper presents the results of a critical literature review related to: (1) risk factors associated with falls from extension ladders, (2) practical engineering solutions that may reduce fall-from-extension-ladder incidents, and (3) questions pertaining to ladder safety that remain unanswered. The review results show that the underlying causes of falls involving extension ladders include the ladder-base slipping out, ladders tipping, workers slipping while on ladders or transitioning from a ladder to a surface at height, and mechanical failures. Some engineering control measures are available in the literature; yet, significant knowledge gaps remain. The knowledge-gap analysis identified four actions needed to advance ladder-safety practice: (1) research on visual indicators to assist in setting up ladders at the correct angle, (2) developing and evaluating measures to ease the transition from a ladder to a surface at heights, (3) integrating ladder accessories into a convertible design to ease the carrying, assembling, and storing of multiple accessories, and thus to encourage safe practices, and (4) developing a graphic-oriented practical guide for safe ladder use, maintenance, and mechanical-flaw detection. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Construction Industry Engineering Occupational Health Safety Workplace
• Keywords:
  Accessory Author Keywords: Construction Equipment-design Extension-ladders Fall Prevention Ladder Ladders Slip Work-analysis Work-performance Work-practices Workplace-studies

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• ISSN:
  0169-8141
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DSR - Division of Safety Research
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  38
• Issue:
  11
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20034690
• Citation:
  Int J Ind Ergon 2008 Nov-Dec; 38(11-12):959-965
• Contact Point Address:
  Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Protective Technology Branch, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown WV 26505-2888
• Email:
  hxh4@cdc.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2009
• NORA Priority Area:
  Construction
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:35718ec03af8c476fdcdb28ca9db55831290032a491bc1425cea26870c6ffc547fb43974949c78df2fcba17521aa82547cafa3ef65cadc278f3189b2e8a07689
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/186803/cdc_186803_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 326.96 KB ]