Domestic accidents with ladders
Lindblad, B.E.; Terkelsen, C.J.; Lindblad, L.N.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 150(47): 2907-2908
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 3206709 Document Number: 323305
During a period of one year, at the Randers Central Hospital and Arhus County Hospital, all domestic accidents with ladders were registered prospectively. Ninety-six lesions in 79 persons were registered. The sex distribution was 2:1 with overrepresentation of men. There were fractures in 32% of the accidents with not significantly more fractures among accidents with ordinary and extension ladders compared to step and Wiener ladders. Overbalance and overturning of the ladder was the most frequent cause of these accidents. Most of the injuries were treated primarily but 12.7% required hospitalization for further treatment. A total of 203 days of hospitalization were registered and the number of days of hospitalization in Denmark as a whole were estimated. Suggestions to improve ladders and prevent ladder accidents are recommended.