Evaluation of injury patterns and accident modality in step ladder-related injuries

Step ladders are commonly found in homes and are used for a variety of tasks. While ladders are often associated with fall-related injuries, other accident modes that do not result in a fall can be observed in real-world data. In this study, the available data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database involving step ladder-related injuries was supplemented by a biomechanical consideration of kinematics and injury mechanism to further understand accident modes and injury patterns. Results of this study demonstrated that the most common accident mode was falling (91%), followed by non-fall errors in execution of intended kinematics (non-fall execution errors) (4%) and pinching (1%). Falls were commonly associated with fractures, non-fall execution errors were commonly associated with a strain or sprain, while pinches were commonly associated with lacerations. The results of this study show that during step ladder use in a non-occupational setting, the accident mode is associated with an injury pattern. •Accident mode for step ladder incidents is associated with injury pattern.•Falls are the most common accident mode associated with step ladder injuries.•Reaching activities account for the largest percentage of fall-related injury events.•Consideration of kinematics and injury mechanisms elucidates factors in step ladder accidents.