Occupational accidents with ladders in Spain: Risk factors

IntroductionOccupational accidents suffered by workers in Spain when using ladders were analyzed over a six year period from 2003–2008, during which the total of notified ladder-related accidents amounted to 21,725. Method: Different accident-related factors were identified for the purpose of developing a pattern of those factors that had the greatest influence on the seriousness and the fatality of such accidents. Thus, a series of variables were examined such as age and length of service of the injured worker, firm size, the work sector, the injury suffered, and the part of the body that was injured. Since falls is the most frequent and most serious of ladder related occupational accidents, a special analysis of falls was performed. Results: The findings showed that the seriousness of ladder-related accidents increased with the age of the injured worker. Likewise, accidents at places other than the usual workplace were more serious and registered higher fatalities than those that occurred at the usual place of work. Conclusions: The analysis of falls from ladders established that accidents in smaller-sized firms were of greater seriousness and involved more fatalities than those in larger-sized firms. The investigation also underlined the need for stricter compliance with preliminary safety assessments when working with ladders.

► Different accident-related factors were identified to determine a seriousness pattern.
► A special analysis of falls was performed.
► Seriousness of ladder-related accidents increased with the age of injured worker.
► Smaller-sized firms had more seriousness ladder-related falls and fatalities than did larger-sized firms.