North Carolina Digital Collections

              Fall From Ladder
An employee stands dangerously on top of a stepladder. Ladder
manufacturers routinely warn against standing on top of a
stepladder.
What programs does the Department of Labor have in place to prevent falls from ladders?
Construction special emphasis program: Increased training and attention in a dangerous industry.
Free training: Workshops, training and consultation in both English and Spanish.
Publications: Industry guides that pinpoint fall hazards in general industry and construction.
Investigation Process
What triggers a fatality or catastrophe investigation by
the N.C. Department of Labor?
• A worker’s death.
• Hospitalization of three or more employees.
• The department may also receive information of a
fatality or catastrophe from media reports or referrals
from other government agencies.
How is NCDOL notified?
• An employer must notify NCDOL within eight hours
of a worker’s fatality or the hospitalization of three
or more workers.
What will the investigation focus on?
• The investigation will usually be limited to the
events surrounding the accident unless observations
at the site indicate a broader investigation is needed.
What will happen during the investigation?
• An NCDOL investigator will go to the accident site
and collect physical evidence, including photographs.
• The investigator will interview employees, witnesses
and management officials about the accident to
determine its cause.
• Any violations of safety and health standards will be
noted and citations will be issued.
How long will the investigation take?
• An investigation can take anywhere from a few
weeks to six months, depending on the complexity
of the accident.
When are investigation results disclosed?
• Citations and penalties, if issued, can be released to
the public on the issuance date.
• Other contents of the file cannot be released until the
case is closed or final order on citations is rendered.
The Investigation
Investigators will seek to determine several factors,
including whether:
• Ladders were maintained in good condition.
• Ladders were inspected frequently, and those with
defects were not used.
• Employees were trained in the hazards associated
with ladder use.
• Nonconductive ladders were used near electrical
equipment.
• Worker faced the ladder when ascending and
descending.
• Ladders were placed at a proper angle of one-fourth the
working length of the ladder from the vertical wall.
• The top step was not used on a stepladder.
• Ladders were used only for the purpose intended.
• A safety program, including ladder safety, was developed.
Cherie Berry, Commissioner
N.C. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Division
1101 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1101
www.nclabor.com
1-800-625-2267
Standards: 29 CFR 1910.25–27, Ladders
29 CFR 1926.1053, Ladders
Industry Type: General Industry and Construction
Accident Type: Fall from ladder
Statistical Data: In 2005, NCDOL investigated 80 work-place
fatalities. Of the 80, falls accounted for 21 deaths.

Title	Fall from ladder
Contributor	North Carolina. Occupational Safety and Health Division.
Subjects	Ladders--Accidents--Investigation--North Carolina Ladders--Safety measures Falls (Accidents)--Prevention Industrial accidents--Investigation--North Carolina
Place	North Carolina, United States
Description	Title from caption (viewed on October 10, 2012).
Publisher	N.C. Dept. of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Division
Agency-Current	North Carolina Department of Labor
Rights	State Document see http://digital.ncdcr.gov/u?/p249901coll22,63754
Physical Characteristics	1 p. of electronic text : digital, PDF file
Collection	North Carolina State Documents Collection. State Library of North Carolina
Type	Text
Language	English
Format	Informational pamphlets
Digital Characteristics-A	99 KB; 1 p.
Series	NCDOL investigates.
Digital Collection	North Carolina Digital State Documents Collection
Digital Format	application/pdf
Related Items	http://worldcat.org/oclc/812411663/viewonline
Audience	All
Pres File Name-M	pubs_ncdolinvestigatesfall2006.pdf
Pres Local File Path-M	\Preservation_content\StatePubs\pubs_borndigital\images_master\
Full Text	Fall From Ladder An employee stands dangerously on top of a stepladder. Ladder manufacturers routinely warn against standing on top of a stepladder. What programs does the Department of Labor have in place to prevent falls from ladders? Construction special emphasis program: Increased training and attention in a dangerous industry. Free training: Workshops, training and consultation in both English and Spanish. Publications: Industry guides that pinpoint fall hazards in general industry and construction. Investigation Process What triggers a fatality or catastrophe investigation by the N.C. Department of Labor? • A worker’s death. • Hospitalization of three or more employees. • The department may also receive information of a fatality or catastrophe from media reports or referrals from other government agencies. How is NCDOL notified? • An employer must notify NCDOL within eight hours of a worker’s fatality or the hospitalization of three or more workers. What will the investigation focus on? • The investigation will usually be limited to the events surrounding the accident unless observations at the site indicate a broader investigation is needed. What will happen during the investigation? • An NCDOL investigator will go to the accident site and collect physical evidence, including photographs. • The investigator will interview employees, witnesses and management officials about the accident to determine its cause. • Any violations of safety and health standards will be noted and citations will be issued. How long will the investigation take? • An investigation can take anywhere from a few weeks to six months, depending on the complexity of the accident. When are investigation results disclosed? • Citations and penalties, if issued, can be released to the public on the issuance date. • Other contents of the file cannot be released until the case is closed or final order on citations is rendered. The Investigation Investigators will seek to determine several factors, including whether: • Ladders were maintained in good condition. • Ladders were inspected frequently, and those with defects were not used. • Employees were trained in the hazards associated with ladder use. • Nonconductive ladders were used near electrical equipment. • Worker faced the ladder when ascending and descending. • Ladders were placed at a proper angle of one-fourth the working length of the ladder from the vertical wall. • The top step was not used on a stepladder. • Ladders were used only for the purpose intended. • A safety program, including ladder safety, was developed. Cherie Berry, Commissioner N.C. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Division 1101 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1101 www.nclabor.com 1-800-625-2267 Standards: 29 CFR 1910.25–27, Ladders 29 CFR 1926.1053, Ladders Industry Type: General Industry and Construction Accident Type: Fall from ladder Statistical Data: In 2005, NCDOL investigated 80 work-place fatalities. Of the 80, falls accounted for 21 deaths.
OCLC number	812411663

North Carolina Digital Collections

Fall from ladder

Description