Most agree training best way to avoid ladder mishaps
When injuries happen at the workplace and employers are considered responsible, the mishaps often could have been avoided had the proper training protocols been followed. And as a recent survey shows, this is especially true when it comes to jobs that involve working in high places, like construction or forestry.
In a newly released poll, approximately three-quarters of respondents agreed that ladder safety training is the best way to steer clear of situations in which employees fall while using them, according to the American Ladder Institute.
“More than 25 percent of on-the-job injuries result from falls.”
Virtually every year, slip and fall accidents are among the most common sources of injury that occur at the workplace, according to the Occupational Health and Safety Association. In 2015 – the latest year in which data is available – 27 percent of accidents that happened on the job were related to falls, slips and trips, the equivalent of slightly more than 309,000 altogether.
Ryan Moss, ALI president, indicated that ladder accidents are usually related to silly mistakes that people can make when they’re not paying attention.
“Reported incidents taken from the American Ladder Institute’s 2016 research study showed the two most common causes of ladder accidents are overreaching and missing the last step when descending the ladder,” Moss explained. “These two common mistakes can be minimized with proper training. We recommend that those who use ladders at home and on the job are educated and trained on the proper use, care and selection of ladders.”
1 in 3 say businesses value productivity over safety
Businesses have to balance safety with productivity, but according to separate polling data, a rather substantial percentage of workers feel that their employer puts more emphasis on the latter rather than the former. Approximately 33 percent of respondents said they believed their workplace placed greater importance on output as opposed to safety protocols. However, among workers in the construction industry – as well as hunting, forestry and fishing – the share was closer to 66 percent. Specifically, 62 percent of respondents in one of these industries said “management does only the minimum required by law to keep employees safe.”
“Every employee deserves a safe workplace,” stressed Deborah A.P. Hersman, NSC president and CEO. “While some of our findings were encouraging, others were a stark reminder of how far we still have to go to ensure safety is every employer’s highest priority.”
Among all respondents, 70 percent indicated that they participated in training exercises on the job at some point.
“Falls are the top cause of injuries deaths among older people.”
7 million older Americans injured by falls per year
Of course, falls can happen outside of the workplace and frequently affect those who aren’t as steady on their feet, having advanced in years. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the No. 1 cause of injuries and deaths among older Americans is falls. In 2014, approximately 7 million seniors were injured, costing $31 billion in health care expenses.
Workers who’ve been injured on the job and believe their employer is liable may want to consider filing a lawsuit in order to pay for medical costs resulting from treatment. However, court costs can be considerable, and even if the case is ruled in the plaintiff’s favor, award settlements can take awhile to come to fruition. Glofin provides a simple solution, providing a cash advance that can be used in a number of different ways, including lawyer fees. Find out more here.
