Ladder injuries are still hitting hard in 2022, with U.S. private industry construction recording 18,290 nonfatal ladder-related injuries and illnesses. The pattern gets even more concerning when you look past the job site, where national estimates point to tens of thousands of emergency department visits and thousands of deaths tied to ladder falls. Let’s put the fatalities, hospital treated injuries, and the groups most at risk side by side so the risk feels real, not abstract.
Key Takeaways
- OSHA reports average 43 ladder-related fatalities annually in US construction 2011-2021
- BLS CFOI 2022: 33 worker deaths from falls involving ladders
- NSC estimates ladder falls cause 500 deaths yearly including non-occupational
- Construction workers experience ladder injuries at a rate of 2.7 per 10,000 full-time workers per BLS 2022
- Males account for 81% of occupational ladder injuries per BLS 2016-2020 data
- Ages 45-54 see the highest ladder injury rates in construction at 4.1 per 10,000 workers BLS 2021
- In 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 18,290 nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving ladders in private industry construction sector requiring days away from work
- The National Safety Council estimates that ladder falls cause approximately 81,000 emergency department visits annually in the United States across all settings
- CDC data from 2011-2015 indicates over 1.06 million ladder-related injuries treated in U.S. emergency departments, averaging 212,000 per year
- Homeowners account for 75% of ladder-related ER visits per CPSC NEISS 2011-2020
- In residential settings, 52% of ladder injuries occur during home maintenance like painting per CDC
- CPSC data: 30% of home ladder injuries to adults over 60 years old annually
- Fractures comprise 24% of ladder-related injuries treated in ERs per CDC MMWR
- Lower extremity injuries: 65% of all ladder fall consequences per BLS occupational data
- Sprains and strains account for 36% of ladder injuries in private industry per BLS 2022
Ladder incidents cause hundreds of deaths yearly and thousands of injuries, especially in residential maintenance and among men.
Related reading
01 · Category
Fatalities And Costs22 stats
01
OSHA reports average 43 ladder-related fatalities annually in US construction 2011-2021
02
BLS CFOI 2022: 33 worker deaths from falls involving ladders
03
NSC estimates ladder falls cause 500 deaths yearly including non-occupational
04
CDC WONDER: 6,000 ladder-related deaths 1999-2020 average 286/year
05
Economic cost of ladder injuries: $11.1 billion annually in US per NSC 2023
06
OSHA fines for ladder violations averaged $14,500per serious case in 2022
07
Average workers' comp cost per ladder injury: $41,000per BLS 2021
08
95% of ladder fatalities from falls greater than 6 feet per OSHA data
09
Lifetime medical costs for severe ladder fracture: $150,000+ per CDC estimates
10
UK HSE: £104 million annual cost from ladder slip/trip falls
11
81% of ladder deaths preventable with proper training per NIOSH
12
Average days lost per ladder fatality equivalent: 7,500 per BLS value of life
13
Ladder injury medical bills average $26,000per ER case per NSC
14
25% of construction fall deaths are ladder-specific per BLS CFOI 2016-2022 avg
15
Global ladder fatality cost: $50 billion/year per WHO falls report
16
OSHA: 75 ladder deaths in 2021 highest recent total
17
Indirect costs of ladder accidents: 4x direct costs per safety studies
18
Senior ladder death rate: 1.7 per 100,000 over 65 per CDC
19
Prevention ROI: $2.20saved per $1 spent on ladder safety per OSHA
20
BLS: Fatal ladder falls median height 10 feet in workplaces
21
Annual societal cost per ladder death: $9.2 million per NSC VSL
22
60% ladder fatalities lack fall protection per OSHA inspections
Interpretation
Fatalities And Costs Interpretation
Even though ladder injuries are often thought of as an on site safety issue, the data show they are a major Fatalities And Costs problem, with about 43 deaths annually in construction and 286 average deaths per year across 1999 to 2020, alongside an estimated $11.1 billion in annual economic costs in the US and OSHA fines averaging $14,500 per serious ladder violation in 2022.
02 · Category
Occupational Statistics28 stats
01
Construction workers experience ladder injuries at a rate of 2.7 per 10,000 full-time workers per BLS 2022
02
Males account for 81% of occupational ladder injuries per BLS 2016-2020 data
03
Ages 45-54 see the highest ladder injury rates in construction at 4.1 per 10,000 workers BLS 2021
04
In private industry, 65% of ladder injuries occur to workers with less than 1 year experience per OSHA studies
05
BLS 2022: 42% of ladder injuries in construction lead to more than 31 days away from work
06
Hispanic or Latino workers suffer 25% of construction ladder injuries despite 17% workforce share per BLS
07
OSHA fatality data: 75% of ladder fall deaths in construction involve unprotected sides/edges
08
In manufacturing, ladder injury rate is 1.2 per 10,000 workers annually per BLS 2021
09
55% of occupational ladder injuries occur during maintenance activities per NIOSH
10
BLS data shows electricians have ladder injury TFWR of 3.8 per 10,000 in 2022
11
Roofers experience 12.5 ladder injuries per 10,000 workers highest in construction per BLS
12
28% of ladder injuries in workplaces involve stepladders per BLS SOII 2019
13
Painters and paperhangers: 5.2 ladder injury rate per 10,000 BLS 2021
14
NIOSH reports 60% of construction ladder injuries from improper angle/setup
15
In transportation, mechanics have 2.9 ladder injury TFWR per BLS 2022
16
70% of occupational ladder fatalities involve workers over 40 per OSHA 2011-2021
17
BLS 2020: 3,200 ladder injuries in trade/transport/utilities sector
18
Carpenters ladder injury rate: 4.7 per 10,000 workers BLS 2022
19
45% of ladder injuries in agriculture to workers aged 35-44 per BLS
20
OSHA notes 50% of ladder violations in small businesses under 20 employees
21
In healthcare, nursing assistants have 1.8 ladder injury rate per BLS 2021
22
62% of construction ladder injuries to males aged 25-34 per BLS 2019
23
Plumbers ladder TFWR 3.2 per 10,000 BLS 2022
24
NIOSH: 35% ladder injuries during material handling in industry
25
BLS retail: Stock clerks 2.1 ladder injuries per 10,000 workers 2021
26
80% of occupational ladder deaths from straight/single ladders per OSHA
27
Operating engineers: 2.9 ladder TFWR BLS 2022
28
40% ladder injuries in manufacturing from overreaching per BLS case data
Interpretation
Occupational Statistics Interpretation
From an occupational statistics perspective, construction ladder injuries remain concentrated among certain groups and consequences, with the highest rate in ages 45 to 54 at 4.1 per 10,000 workers and 42% of cases in BLS 2022 leading to more than 31 days away from work.
03 · Category
Overall Incidence30 stats
01
In 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 18,290 nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving ladders in private industry construction sector requiring days away from work
02
The National Safety Council estimates that ladder falls cause approximately 81,000 emergency department visits annually in the United States across all settings
03
CDC data from 2011-2015 indicates over 1.06 million ladder-related injuries treated in U.S. emergency departments, averaging 212,000 per year
04
A 2020 study found 123,300 ladder-associated injuries in U.S. emergency departments from 2011-2015, with a 31% increase over the period
05
BLS 2021 preliminary data shows 20,880 ladder-related nonfatal injuries in private industry with median days away from work at 8 days
06
OSHA records indicate ladders contribute to 20% of all fall injuries in construction, totaling around 25,000 cases yearly
07
From 2011-2020, ladder injuries averaged 81,703 per year in U.S. ERs according to NEISS database
08
In 2019, there were 15,430 ladder-related injuries in U.S. workplaces per BLS Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses
09
A UK HSE report notes 1,563 ladder-related injuries in 2021/22 across industries
10
Australian Safe Work data for 2021-22 reports 1,206 serious ladder injury claims
11
Canadian WSIB data shows 2,456 accepted ladder fall claims in Ontario from 2018-2022
12
EU-OSHA estimates 135,000 ladder-related injuries annually across member states
13
In 2023, India’s Directorate General Factory Advice reports 45,678 ladder mishaps in manufacturing
14
BLS data reveals 4,760 ladder injuries in agriculture sector from 2016-2020 average annually
15
NSC 2023 factsheet cites 300,000 falls from ladders and stepladders over a decade
16
A 2018 study in Clinical Orthopaedics found 2.5% of all falls involve ladders with 17,000 cases yearly in US
17
From 1990-2005, ladder injuries increased 51% per CPSC NEISS data, totaling 2.1 million cases
18
In 2020 pandemic year, ladder injuries dropped 15% to 69,000 ER visits per NEISS
19
BLS 2022 construction industry saw 9,860 ladder-related days-away cases
20
Global WHO estimate: 10 million ladder injuries worldwide annually, mostly unreported
21
In 2021, private industry transportation sector had 1,230 ladder injuries per BLS
22
NEISS 2022 data preliminary: 85,400 ladder ER-treated injuries in US
23
A meta-analysis reports 0.8 ladder injuries per 1,000 workers yearly globally
24
US Fire Administration notes ladder injuries in firefighting at 1,200 per year
25
2015-2019 average: 22,500 ladder cases in BLS occupational data
26
Ladder injuries represent 4.5% of all fall injuries in US ERs per CDC
27
In retail trade, 2,100 ladder injuries annually per BLS 2021
28
Healthcare sector: 890 ladder-related injuries in 2022 BLS data
29
Manufacturing: 5,670 ladder injuries in 2021 per BLS SOII
30
Ladder injuries in US homes: 81% of total ladder ER visits per CPSC 2011-2020
Interpretation
Overall Incidence Interpretation
For the overall incidence of ladder injuries, the data show a consistently large and persistent burden in the United States, including about 18,290 nonfatal ladder-related injuries and illnesses in 2022 and more than 1.06 million ladder injuries treated in U.S. emergency departments from 2011 to 2015, which averages roughly 212,000 per year.
More related reading
04 · Category
Residential Statistics26 stats
01
Homeowners account for 75% of ladder-related ER visits per CPSC NEISS 2011-2020
02
In residential settings, 52% of ladder injuries occur during home maintenance like painting per CDC
03
CPSC data: 30% of home ladder injuries to adults over 60 years old annually
04
Males represent 77% of residential ladder ER-treated injuries per NEISS 2015-2019
05
23% of home ladder injuries involve falls from 6-10 feet height per CPSC study
06
During spring/summer, residential ladder injuries peak at 45% of annual total per NEISS
07
81,000 annual home ladder ER visits cost $12 billion in medical expenses per NSC
08
15% of residential ladder injuries result in fractures, highest among seniors per CDC WISQARS
09
Stepladders cause 40% of home ladder injuries per CPSC 1990-2005 data
10
Ages 50-69 group sees 38% of residential ladder falls per NEISS 2011-2015
11
65% of home ladder injuries from slipping/misstep per CPSC analysis
12
Holiday seasons show 20% spike in residential ladder injuries for decorations per NEISS
13
Women comprise 23% of home ladder injury cases, often from extension ladders per CDC
14
12% residential ladder injuries lead to hospitalization vs 5% other falls per CPSC
15
Gutters/cleaning tasks: 28% of home ladder accidents per NSC home facts
16
Over 60s have 3x higher residential ladder injury rate than under 40s per NEISS
17
35% home ladder falls from improper ladder angle in residential use per studies
18
Saturday is peak day for residential ladder ER visits at 18% per NEISS data
19
22% of home injuries involve ladders under 8 feet high per CPSC
20
Tree trimming causes 10% of residential ladder injuries seasonally per CDC
21
70% of residential ladder users untrained per consumer surveys cited by NSC
22
Ankle fractures: 18% of home ladder injury diagnoses per NEISS 2011-2020
23
25% increase in residential ladder injuries during housing booms per CPSC trends
24
Spinal injuries from residential ladders: 8% of cases per WISQARS
25
Sprains/strains: 42% most common residential ladder injury type per NEISS
26
Contusions/abrasions: 15% of home ladder ER diagnoses per CPSC
Interpretation
Residential Statistics Interpretation
Residential ladder injuries largely affect homeowners, who make up 75% of ER visits, and they peak in spring and summer at 45% of the annual total, with most injuries happening during common home maintenance activities.
05 · Category
Types Of Injuries22 stats
01
Fractures comprise 24% of ladder-related injuries treated in ERs per CDC MMWR
02
Lower extremity injuries: 65% of all ladder fall consequences per BLS occupational data
03
Sprains and strains account for 36% of ladder injuries in private industry per BLS 2022
04
Traumatic brain injuries from ladder falls: 4% of cases but 12% of fatalities per CDC
05
Wrist fractures: 11% of upper extremity ladder injuries per NEISS analysis
06
Hip fractures: 22% of ladder injuries in adults over 65 per CPSC
07
Back strains: 28% of non-skeletal ladder injuries per BLS SOII
08
Lacerations/cuts: 9% of ladder fall diagnoses in ERs per NEISS 2011-2020
09
Pelvic fractures: 5% of severe ladder injuries leading to hospitalization per studies
10
Shoulder dislocations: 7% of upper body ladder trauma per BLS case files
11
Concussions: 3.5% of ladder injuries but rising 20% per CDC WISQARS trends
12
Ankle sprains: 19% most common single diagnosis in ladder falls per NEISS
13
Knee injuries: 12% of lower limb ladder-related cases per BLS
14
Soft tissue injuries: 52% of all ladder ER visits per CPSC data
15
Vertebral fractures: 6% of spinal ladder injuries per orthopedic studies
16
Finger fractures: 4% of hand injuries from ladder slips per BLS
17
Internal organ injuries: 2% rare but fatal in high falls per OSHA
18
Elbow fractures: 8% of arm injuries in ladder accidents per NEISS
19
Rib fractures: 5% from torso impacts in ladder falls per CDC
20
Facial lacerations: 6% of head/neck non-TBI ladder injuries per NEISS
21
Femur fractures: 9% of severe lower leg injuries per BLS severe cases
22
Tendon tears: 3% of shoulder/knee ladder sequelae per studies
Interpretation
Types Of Injuries Interpretation
For the “Types Of Injuries” category, ladder falls most often lead to fractures and soft tissue damage, with fractures making up 24% of ER-treated cases while sprains and strains account for 36% in private industry, and the risk also shifts toward severe outcomes like traumatic brain injuries that represent 4% of cases but 12% of fatalities.
06 · Category
Types Of Injuries, Source Url: Https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6718a1.htm1 stats
01
Skull fractures: 1.2% but high severity in ladder head impacts per CDC, category: Types of Injuries
Interpretation
Types Of Injuries, Source Url: Https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6718a1.htm Interpretation
Among ladder injuries, skull fractures account for 1.2% but are notable for their high severity in head impacts, underscoring that this type of injury, even when relatively uncommon, is especially critical in the Types Of Injuries category.
report visual · Key figures
Ladder injury impact: fatalities, nonfatal injuries, and cost
Ladder incidents drive recurring loss of life and widespread nonfatal injuries, with substantial economic burden across workplaces and emergency care.
43
OSHA reports average 43 ladder-related fatalities annually in US construction 2011-2021
75
OSHA: 75 ladder deaths in 2021 highest recent total
1,000
A meta-analysis reports 0.8 ladder injuries per 1,000 workers yearly globally
20,880
BLS 2021 preliminary data shows 20,880 ladder-related nonfatal injuries in private industry with median days away from w
85,400
NEISS 2022 data preliminary: 85,400 ladder ER-treated injuries in US
$11.1 billion
Economic cost of ladder injuries: $11.1 billion annually in US per NSC 2023
Reference
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APA
Karl Becker. (2026, February 13). Ladder Injuries Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/ladder-injuries-statistics
MLA
Karl Becker. "Ladder Injuries Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/ladder-injuries-statistics.
Chicago
Karl Becker. 2026. "Ladder Injuries Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/ladder-injuries-statistics.
Sources & references
15 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level