Monday, May 9, 2011

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