What is the primary hazard when working from a ladder?

The primary hazard when working from a ladder is the risk of falling. This is significant because falls are one of the leading causes of injuries in the workplace, particularly when using ladders. When workers are elevated on a ladder, even a minor misstep can result in a serious fall, potentially leading to severe injuries or fatalities. This highlights the critical need for proper ladder safety practices, including ensuring the ladder is on stable ground, maintaining three points of contact, and avoiding overreaching.

Other factors such as ladder weight, weather conditions, and tool accessibility are indeed important considerations for ladder safety, but they do not pose the same immediate and severe risk as falling. Ladder weight is relevant because it can affect how easily a ladder can be moved and set up, while weather conditions can influence stability and traction. Tool accessibility may affect how efficiently a task is completed but does not directly relate to the fundamental danger inherent in ladder use, which is the potential for falls. Thus, recognizing the risk of falling as the primary hazard emphasizes the importance of preventive measures to ensure safety while working from a ladder.