SAFETY BULLETIN: Two Ladder Incidents – Stability, Setup, and Body Positioning
Overview:
Within a short timeframe, two separate ladder incidents occurred on different job sites, both involving electricians performing overhead tasks from portable ladders. While neither incident resulted in serious injury, both highlight ongoing concerns around ladder stability, placement, and climbing behavior.
Incident 1: Ladder Collapse and Fall onto Strut Rack
An Encore employee was working from the 10th rung of a 12-foot, 3-legged ladder, tying off overhead tie wire for temporary lighting. The ladder had been set on compacted dirt. Before climbing, the employee performed a basic bounce test to confirm that the legs felt stable. After tying wire for a few minutes from an elevated position, the third leg of the ladder gave way into the dirt, causing the spreader bar to collapse. The employee fell roughly 15 ft with the ladder and landed on a metal strut rack, just missing multiple conduits sticking up from the dirt.
This task required better pre-task planning and discussion of the hazards present. The work should not have been attempted from a ladder set on dirt, particularly using a 3-legged model with questionable stability. Alternatives should have been considered, such as waiting until the floor was poured to provide a stable work surface or redesigning the task to drop support in from the ceiling. Field leadership must support crews in deferring or reconfiguring tasks when conditions are not right. Work planning must always account for safe footing, adequate support, and the right equipment for the task.
Incident 2: Ladder Tip and Fall While Supporting Light Fixtures
In a separate case, another employee was tasked with temporarily supporting light fixtures using ceiling wire so the ceiling grid and HVAC ductwork could be removed. He climbed a ladder to attach wire at two corners of the fixture. After securing the second corner, he began to descend but lifted one foot before re-centering his weight. The ladder tipped, he fell into the ceiling grid but was able to land on his feet. He sustained abrasions to his forearm.
The team held an immediate stand-down to review the incident, reinforce ladder use fundamentals, and remind everyone of the “belt buckle rule” keeping your center of mass between the rails at all times.
Key Lessons and Reminders for All Crews:
- Plan the Work, Then Work the Plan:
Don’t force a task into an unsafe setup. If the ground is unstable, the access is awkward, or the equipment doesn’t seem right, stop and re-evaluate. In some cases, it’s safer to delay the task or change the method altogether.
- Always Set Ladders on Solid Ground:
Even with light compaction, soil is not a reliable base for a ladder. When working outdoors or on soft ground, use ladder pads, stabilizers, or portable work platforms. - Know Your Equipment:
Not all ladders are created equal. When a ladder feels unstable, or may be damaged, don’t use it. Report questionable equipment immediately and remove it from service until inspected. - Body Positioning:
Keep your weight centered on the ladder at all times. Follow the “belt buckle rule” if your belt buckle is outside the side rails, you’re reaching too far and risking a tip-over. - Three Points of Contact:
Maintain three points of contact when climbing or descending. Avoid rushing, especially when repositioning or dismounting.
Supervisors and the team must reinforce daily huddles, pre-task checks, including ladder condition and ground setup. Incorporate ladder use into your daily huddles and ensure that teams are comfortable stopping work if something feels off. Emphasize that ladder safety isn’t just about training, it’s about daily discipline, observation, and speaking up.
If you have questions about proper ladder setup, acceptable ground conditions, or replacement equipment, contact your Safety Professional or Field Leadership immediately.
Stay grounded. Stay stable. Stay safe.