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 front legs. 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.
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Dr.
R. Craig Jerner, Ph.D., PE specializes in accident
investigation and metallurgical failure analysis,
with over 30 years experience as a metallurgical
consultant and accident investigator. He has
testified as a metallurgical expert in over 250
depositions and more than 70 court appearances. If you or someone you know should need the services of Dr. Jerner and J.E.I. Metallurgical, please visit our web site at the buttons below, or e-mail Dr. Jerner --- 