Beyond the Minimum:
Lessons from a Fatal Incident

This summary from a 2023 Alberta occupational health and safety (OHS) investigation shows that working from a ladder, even below a three-metre height, requires careful consideration around what can go wrong and how serious the outcome can be. Remember, just because this incident didn’t happen on a farm or ranch doesn’t mean it hasn’t, can’t or won’t.

This incident reflects information relating to the Alberta OHS Code. However, it is essential to keep in mind that while not all of the OHS Code directly applies to farms and ranches, that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t apply at all. The OHS Code reflects minimum technical requirements, and farms and ranches are expected to do everything reasonably practicable, not just the minimum, when the circumstances require more.

What Happened

A worker was performing light-duty, short-duration work from a 10-foot A-frame step ladder that was in good condition. The worker was working alone when the incident occurred, but they were competent in the ladder’s use and appeared to have stayed under the three-metre height limit. Later, the worker was found on the ground by others, having apparently fallen due to loss of balance or position, resulting in a fatal injury.

Corrective Actions After the Incident

Things the employer did to prevent a similar incident from happening again:

• Even though a hazard assessment was performed, it was repeated, with careful consideration given to working from heights greater than three metres and from ladders within two metres of a leading edge, and it included hazard control measures.

• Changed or reviewed existing administrative procedures related to working from portable and extension ladders.

• Determine when fall protection is required for ladder use.

• Ensured workers reviewed any updated procedures to ensure the identified controls are used.

Prevention Highlights

• Workers affected by the work need to be involved in the hazard assessment and control process.

•  If a worker can be injured by a fall:

  • The employer must ensure the worker is protected from falling a distance of three metres or more.

  • Even if the fall would occur from a distance of less than three metres, an employer must ensure the worker is protected from falling where there is an unusual possibility of injury, if the injury may be worse than an injury from landing on a solid, flat surface.

 Incident  Source: Worker fatally injured after fall from ladder –  Investigation File OHS-295431