Falls from stepladders can kill

A health and safety message from the WCB

The WCB has recently received a number of accident reports involving workers falling from stepladders. On average, 10 workers die every year after a fall from an elevation. The links to resources in this bulletin may help to prevent similar incidents at your workplace. Please pass this newsletter along to friends, family, and colleagues.

Stepladder safety tips

Recent accidents

  • A business owner sustained fatal injuries after falling approximately 9 feet from a stepladder while performing carpentry work over the entrance to his shop.
  • A worker fell to the ground from a 6-foot stepladder while placing product (chairs) on a 7-foot elevated display area. The worker sustained hip and back injuries, and possibly a head injury.

Additional resources

StartSafe bulletin on stepladders
Safety Tip 3: Stepladder use
Calculate the uninsured cost of a fall
Small Business Safety Calculator - click on the Construction scenario
Regulation and Guidelines

Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, Part 13: Ladders, Scaffolds and Temporary Work Platforms