VersaLadder Collapse Due to False-Locked Hinge

MASE Product Failure Injury Report

Product involved: VersaLadder Articulating Aluminum Ladder

What happened:  Person using Versaladder in straight ladder configuration.  The ladder collapsed when the user was part way up the ladder due to a hinge collapsing, sending the user falling to the ground.

Injuries: Back and head injuries

Recommendations:  Use a hinge lock with a uniform cross section to prevent partial engagement of lock, protect hinge to prevent increased friction in joint due to rust, dirt, and debris.  Also more intuitive locking mechanisms may help increase proper use.

OSHA/Standard violations?: No

Werner D 1532-2 Extension Ladder Failure

MASE Product Failure Injury Report

Product involved: Werner D-1532-2

What happened:  Workers were applying tar to roofs.  Ladder was moved around throughout the day.  As one worker went to descend from a roof, the extension ladder collapsed, telescoping on itself, until the ladder fell from the eave of the roof.

Injuries: Back, leg injuries

Recommendations:  Use a rung engagement device with a positive acting mechanism to prevent fly-lock where fly section tip partially engages a ladder rung.  Additional safety systems to prevent ladder collapse can be added including a method to lock a rung from one extension ladder section to a rung on the second extension ladder section. 

OSHA/Standard violations?: No

Cuprum Extension Ladder Failure

MASE Product Failure Injury Report

Product involved: Cuprum Extension Ladder

What happened:  Homeowner was in process of cleaning the gutters of his two story home.  He climbed onto roof from ladder, and his sons moved the ladder to rest on the gutter of a roof section with a different eave height.  The ladder height was likely adjusted at this point for the different roof elevation.  When the homeowner got back onto the extension ladder and started to climb downwards, the ladder telescoped on itself, then stopped, sending the homeowner falling to a deck below.  The ladder most likely experienced false lock when the height of the ladder was adjusted.  False-locked ladders are ladders that are partially held at an extended condition but the locking mechanism is not fully engaged.  False-locked ladders can easily collapse.

Injuries: Back, leg injuries

Recommendations:  Use a rung engagement device with a positive acting mechanism.  Additional safety systems to prevent ladder collapse can be added including a method to lock a rung from one extension ladder section to a rung on the second extension ladder section. 

OSHA/Standard violations?: No

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