The Ladder Checklist: What to Check Before You Climb

Ladder falls, even from relatively short heights, can be fatal. A worker who is merely working on the second story of a building -- installing a window, for instance -- could be around 10 feet off the ground. A fall from that height with a head impact could prove deadly.

This is why it is so important to make sure that workers do not get dangerous, defective ladders. There is simply no room for error. With other defective tools, a problem on the job site just means exchanging the tool for another one. With a defective ladder, a problem can mean that a worker is dead or lying in the hospital. The consequence is incredibly high.

Here are a few things to check before ever climbing up a ladder:

• That the ladder was actually designed specifically for the job at hand
• That the ladder is mechanically sound and in good condition
• That all the rungs are properly attached and stable
• That the supports actually lock into place when the ladder is opened or extended
• That the ladder has the proper safety label and the instructions for use
• That the ladder can actually reach its intended target without having to lean steeply and without forcing employees to climb higher than they should -- the top rungs are typically not meant to be used

Even with these safety checks, a defect could go unnoticed until a worker falls. If that fall results in the loss of the worker's life, the family needs to know what legal options they have to seek compensation for medical bills, funeral costs, lost wages and more.