Ladder Failures

Articulating Ladder Failure

An articulating ladder failed resulting in personal injury. Metallurgical failure analysis of the failed ladder was requested.  The ladder collapsed under the weight of the user causing an accident.  The ladder was examined and its joints and hinges were manipulated and tested.  Examination revealed that the ladder had been misused and abused causing damage to one of the hinges.  The hinge damage prevented the hinge from performing as designed.  The failure analysis determined the cause of the accident to be abuse and inadequate maintenance by the ladder owner.

                            Photograph A: Hinge fracture of failed                             articulating ladder hinges.

Stepladder Failure

Metallurgical failure analysis was requested after a suspected stepladder failure.  The failed stepladder had two bent back legs. Overall views of the bent ladder legs are shown in Photographs A and B. After visual examination and mechanical load calculations, it was determined that the stepladder was not defectively manufactured.  The stepladder leg deformation resulted from the stepladder falling on its side and then the user falling onto the stepladder.  The cause of the accident was carelessness or misuse by the stepladder user.

                        Photograph A: Overall view of the left and                        right failed back legs of the subject failed stepladder.

                    Photograph B: Close-up view of the collapsed                     right back ladder leg.