Final answer:
Falls from portable ladders are a leading cause of injuries and fatalities due to the potential energy involved in climbing and the risk of falling off the ladder.
Step-by-step explanation:
Falls from portable ladders are one of the leading causes of injuries and fatalities. Climbing a ladder requires energy and involves accumulating potential energy with each step. If not careful, releasing that potential energy all at once by falling off the ladder can result in serious injuries or even death.