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Serious accident alert - ladder safety

May 18, 2017

MSHA reports in a serious accident alart a miner suffering serious injury in a ladder accident.

[caption id="attachment_83412" align="alignright" width="221"] The accident occured when a miner jumped from the next to the last step of a fixed ladder to reach the ground[/caption]

The accident occured when a miner had just finished welding on the plant’s crusher and decided to jump from the next to the last step of a fixed ladder to reach the ground.

When the victim hit the ground, he fell backwards and was impaled by a pry bar that was left standing upright on the ground.

The victim suffered severe injuries as a result of this accident.

MSHA has the following advice to help prevent such accidents.

BEST PRACTICE

  • Examine your work area for potential hazards
  • Always use the Three Points of Contact method during ascent, descent, and while working on a ladder: The climber must face the ladder and have two hands and one foot OR two feet and one hand in contact with the ladder steps, rungs and/or side rails
  • Never skip a step when ascending or descending ladders
  • Store tools in their proper location after completing a job
  • Don’t take shortcuts.
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