scope:

Abstract:

A technician climbed a five-foot portable ladder to the second-from-the-bottom rung in preparation for a cable pulling task. The technician moved a ceiling tile in order to view the area above the ceiling. After finishing the inspection of the above-the-ceiling area, the technician began descending the ladder. The technician's right boot momentarily caught at the second-from-the-bottom rung. This caused the technician to pivot counterclockwise (plan view), twist away from the ladder, and fall approximately two-feet to the vinyl-asbestos tile covered concrete floor. The technician suffered injuries in the form of a laceration to his/her forehead and a broken arm. Pre-task briefings should be conducted to raise awareness of possible safety problems and proper techniques.