LADDER ACCIDENTS

Every year on average there are 50 fatalities caused as a result of ladder accidents in the UK. In addition there are over 1000 serious injuries and 40,000 hospital visits and of these 25% are as a result of falls from height. Employers have a statutory responsibility to ensure that their employees have the necessary equipment and training to comply with Health and Safety legislation to reduce risk. An employer is required to provide competent co-workers, adequate equipment and a safe system of work with proper training and supervision and if he does not do so and an accident causing personal injury occurs then the employer will be liable to pay compensation to the employee.

There are many different regulations governing ladder safety however the basic safety requirements necessary for an employer to follow include:

• Any surface upon which a ladder rests must be stable, level and firm, of sufficient strength and of suitable composition to support any load placed on it to reduce the risk of ladder accidents.
• A ladder shall
  • where used as a means of access be secured so as to prevent it slipping or falling.
  • be suitable and of sufficient strength for the purpose or purposes for which it is being used;
  • be so erected as to ensure that it does not become displaced;
  • where it is of a length when used of 3 metres or more, be secured to the extent that it is practicable to do so and where it is not practicable to secure a person shall be positioned at the foot to prevent it slipping when it is being used.
• The top of any ladder used as a means of access to another level shall, unless a suitable alternative handhold is provided, extend to a sufficient height above the level to which it gives access so as to provide a safe handhold.
• Where a ladder or run of ladders rises a vertical distance of 9 metres or more above its base, there shall, where practicable, be provided at suitable intervals sufficient safe landing areas or rest platforms.
• All ladders should be in sound condition, clean and well maintained and be free from missing, bent or loose rungs, bent or damaged stiles, splitting, warping or corrosion and without sharp edges.

Our solicitors are experienced in claiming compensation as a result of ladder accidents. They are all members of the Law Society panel of personal injury experts and they operate the no win no fee scheme and will give you free advice on work accident compensation claims. Our solicitors do not make any deductions from your compensation and do not ask you to fund or finance your work accident compensation claim in any respect.

For free advice from a specialist solicitor just complete the ladder accidents contact form and a member of The Law Society panel of personal injury experts will contact you by telephone at no cost and with no obligation.