Citation

Bjornstig U, Johnsson J. J. Saf. Res. 1992; 23(1): 9-18.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1992, U.S. National Safety Council, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Hospital-based data from northern Sweden indicates that there were 114 ladder accidents during 1 year and, of these, one third happened during working hours. The majority of injured were men (81%), and the average age was 42 years. Thirty percent of the accidents during working hours took place outdoors while the corresponding figure was 77% during leisure time. The most common accident was a fall from a free, straight tilting ladder (73%), or a stepladder (20%). It was common for the tilting ladders to slide on the ground (41%) and for the stepladders to fall sideways (48%). The extremities were most commonly injured (60%), and 37% of all injuries were fractures. Those 50 years old and over received the most serious injuries. One third of the injured still had persisting symptoms more than 1 year after the accident. Twenty-seven percent of the injured needed hospitalization for an average of 8 days, and two thirds of the patients entitled to sickness benefit received this benefit for an average of 57 days. On average, the total care and sickness benefits amounted to SEK* (Swedish Crowns) 12,300 ($2,000) per case, of which half was sickness benefit.