Equipment Leasing Expert: Rented Ladder Was Not Up to Safety Standards

ByJoseph O'Neill

Updated on

Equipment Leasing Expert: Rented Ladder Was Not Up to Safety Standards

Case Overview

This case involves injuries suffered by a worker due to defects in rented equipment. The Plaintiff, a professional handyman, was working to repair an exterior light while on a large extension ladder. At the time of the incident in question, the Plaintiff was using the ladder in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, and had been careful to make sure that the ladder was properly secured. However, it was noted that the footing of the ladder was mismatched, where one side of the ladder was missing a rubber cover to maintain the stability of the ladder. As a result, the footing slipped, causing the ladder to fall while the Plaintiff was on it. As a result of the fall, the worker suffered a number of serious injuries, including multiple broken bones. The Plaintiff alleged that the rental company had intentionally given him a modified ladder and was not up to safety standards.

Questions to the Engineering expert and their responses

Q1

Please discuss your experience with extension ladders and equipment rental standards.

I have been involved in numerous fall cases as well as ones involving equipment failure. I have considerable experience with the compliance of OSHA and manufacturer's requirements, which appears to be the issue at hand. I have taught ladder safety, and trained personnel; both as a fire training officer and now as a safety professional. I have 20 years of experience in maintenance departments as well as in the construction industry. Based on the information and evidence provided, the ladder violated safety compliance standards. Any aftermarket modifications to the ladder by an unauthorized third party are likely to compromise the safety of the ladder.

About the expert

This expert is an experienced Safety Engineer and Board Certified Safety Professional with over 35 years of experience. His expertise spans occupational and construction safety, development and requirements for safety systems/programs, multi-employer worksites, industry custom and practice, and regulatory compliance. With extensive OSHA and Fire Code compliance knowledge, he has produced several publications and online training courses regarding worksite safety.

Expert headshot

E-007347

Specialties:

About the author

Joseph O'Neill

Joseph O'Neill

Joe has extensive experience in online journalism and technical writing across a range of legal topics, including personal injury, meidcal malpractice, mass torts, consumer litigation, commercial litigation, and more. Joe spent close to six years working at Expert Institute, finishing up his role here as Director of Marketing. He has considerable knowledge across an array of legal topics pertaining to expert witnesses. Currently, Joe servces as Owner and Demand Generation Consultant at LightSail Consulting.

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