Ladders are one of the basic pieces of equipment used on construction and industrial sites. However, due to inherent defects or flaws in design and manufacturing, some put workers at risk of severe injuries. Every year at least 180,000 people visit emergency rooms around the country for treatment of injuries sustained from ladder-related accidents and at least 150 deaths occur.

The American Ladder Institute recommends certain weight ratings for ladders; these, however, are not mandatory standards. Often, ladders come with rungs that bend at a weight below the maximum weight stipulated for that model.  

Telescoping extension ladders used to reach extra heights can be difficult to maneuver when there is only one person using the ladder, which is often the case.  The intricate systems for locking and adjusting these ladders can result in various hand and finger injuries as a person attempts to extend or collapse the ladder.  Some extendable ladders collapse too quickly and all at once, putting hands at a risk of fractures and crushing injuries. Sometimes ladders do not come with sufficient traction making the ladder prone to slipping and sliding.

Construction Ladder Accidents

Some of the most common accidents on a construction site are related to slip and fall accidents from ladders.  Every day, workers risk injury as they climb elevated heights on extension ladders, rope ladders, and step ladders.  An unstable ladder could tip over, hurtling a worker to the ground.  Improperly spaced rungs can cause a worker to trip while ascending or descending the ladder and broken or cracked rungs and rails can cause a worker to lose his balance.  A ladder may be considered defective if it has an unstable or weak frame that has worn with use.