Ladders can be naturally dangerous pieces of equipment. It’s therefore important to use the right ladders for the right job, and it’s important to make sure that ladders are well maintained and replaced when necessary. At work, this duty is directly the responsibility of your employer.
Can You Make a Claim for Compensation?
Ladders are classed as work equipment. As such, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations indicate that any work equipment provided to employees must be safe to use, adequate for the task, and the employee must be trained in how to use the equipment properly and safely. If your employer fails to comply with any of the above and you are inured as a result, you may have a claim for compensation.
Defective Ladders
If ladders break when you are using them, your employer may be liable. If they break because of a reason beyond your control, your employer may be strictly liable, which means that if a piece of work equipment is defective, your employer has to pay out even if there was no way of preventing the ladders from breaking. To try and prevent this from happening, employers should have a system of inspection and maintenance in place for all work equipment. The equipment is your employer’s responsibility – they cannot just palm you off and tell you that you need to pursue the ladder manufacturers.
Inadequate or Incorrect Ladders
If you are given the wrong type of ladders for the job, you can easily end up falling off the ladders and injuring yourself. Your employer must provide you with the correct type of ladders for the job, and at the same time you must be instructed and trained to know which are the right ladders to use. If you’ve no idea, you are open to risk of accidentally using the wrong type of ladder and injuring yourself. Training is very important!
Dangerous Terrain / Ground / Environment
You must be able to use the ladders without being subjected to a potential injury. If you need to use the ladders outdoors, the terrain must be flat and stable to allow the ladders to safely hold you. If another employee is needed to stabilise the ladders, this should always be organised. If you are told to use ladders on rough or steep terrain, you are at serious risk of falling. Your employer should risk assess any task involving the use of ladders.
If its outdoors your employer should consider the weather as well. If it’s wet, will the ladders be stable on the ground? Will the rungs become wet and become a slipping hazard? Will you need different ladders wit better grip or better shoes? These are all things that we need to consider.
If you have been injured at work due to ladders, call our dedicated claims team on 0800 634 7575 today.