Forensic Engineering Review Of Safety Standards For Portable Metal Ladders

Authors

  • Charles P. Reynolds

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51501/jotnafe.v15i1.554

Keywords:

Ladders

Abstract

This Paper Will Discuss Some Of The Authors Concerns Regarding The Widely Recognized Industry Safety Standard Published By The American National Standards Institute (Ansi), Ansi A 14.2- 1990- Safety Requirements For Portable Metal Ladders. In This Experts Experience, And Based Upon Research Into Ladder Accidents, The Most Common Cause Of Fall From A Portable Metal Ladder Is The Buckling Failure Of One Of The .Side Rails. A Large Percentage Of Falls From A Portable Metal Ladders Are Attributed To The Sudden Buckling Failure Of One Of The Side Rails, Thereby Causing The User To Fall And Sustain Serious Injuries. Analysis Of The Cross-Section Of The Ladder Side Rails Reveals That The Design Criteria Spelled Out In The Industry Ladder Standards Falls Far Short Of The Safety Factors Commonly Applied To Other Structures Of A Similar Nature Which Are Designed By Mechanical, Structural, Civil And Aeronautical Engineers. Whereas The Commercially Available Metal Ladders Meet Or Exceed The Industry Standard, And Are Therefore Deemed To Be Safe By The Courts, A Thorough Analysis Of The Basis For The Standards Shows Several Inconsistencies And Deficiencies, Some Of Which Will Be Addressed In This Paper.

Published

1998-01-01

How to Cite

Reynolds, Charles P. 1998. “Forensic Engineering Review Of Safety Standards For Portable Metal Ladders”. Journal of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers 15 (1). https://doi.org/10.51501/jotnafe.v15i1.554.

Issue

Section

Articles