Ladder safety USA

Implementing ladder safety devices greatly reduce the odds of injury in the event of a ladder fall as some of the main causes include sliding of the ladder base or the ladder itself tipping sideways. Many people also sustain back injuries because of improperly carrying and setting up ladders. According to the World Health Organization Each year an estimated 646.000 individuals die from falls globally. In several cases this the risk of falling from a ladder can be minimized through ladder safety.

Similarly, the journal Health & Medicine Week points out that the risk of falling from a ladder is increasing, a 2017 study demonstrated that there were 41,092 hospitalised falls from ladders in Australia over the ten-year period from July 2002 to June 2012, rising from 3,374 hospitalisations in 2002/03 to 4,945 hospitalisations in 2011/12. Moreover, the common characteristics of patients who presented to the ED for ladder‐related falls were men, domestic ladder users and over the age of 50.

Stay Protected

In the USA, each year there are more than 164,000 emergency room-treated injuries and 300 deaths that are caused by falls from ladders. Falls from ladders are the leading cause of deaths on construction sites. The most frequent ladder injuries include broken bones, broken backs, broken pelvises and head injuries. Moreover, approximately 20 percent of fall injuries involve ladders, and among construction workers, an estimated 81% of fall injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms involve a ladder. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor (2011) Work-related fatal falls, by type of fall, nearly two-fifths involved falls from roofs or ladders. Out of 646 falls, 20 percent were from the ladder, 18 percent were from the roof. Therefore, it is a must to maintain a 3-point (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand) contact on the ladder when climbing, maintain your body near the middle of the step and always face the ladder while climbing  and only use ladders and appropriate accessories (ladder levelers, jacks or hooks) for their designed purposes (OSHA 2021). Additionally, it is important to secure the ladder firmly at the top to prevent it from slipping sideways or the foot from slipping outwards. Hook or tie your ladder (both stiles) to a sturdy anchor point to stop it from slipping. Use a ladder stability device specifically intended for this purpose.

In most situations, ladders are used improperly. Whether they are at the wrong angle, not secured, not set up on a firm, level surface, not tall enough, broken apart, lashed together, a closed A-frame, or any other number of issues. Always check your ladder, it needs to be in proper working condition. A quick inspection should determine that the ladder is in the condition in which the manufacturer intended it to be used. Follow OSHA's Fall Prevention Campaign here. Keep in mind that Stairways and ladders are major sources of injuries and deaths among construction workers and many of the injuries are serious enough to require time off the job. You can access OSHA rules by clicking here. OSHA rules apply to all stairways and ladders used in construction, alteration, repair, painting, decorating and demolition of worksites covered by OSHA’s construction safety and health standards.

Avoid risks such as reaching or leaning too far rather than moving the ladder, placing the ladder on boxes or pallets to gain height, and climbing the ladder while carrying items. Standing on the very top step or rung when the ladder is too short for the task. To help prevent the ladder from sliding sideways or out from under you use a ladder safety device. This device can hold the top of the ladder in place. Hook or tie your ladder (both stiles) by using a ladder stability device specifically designed for this purpose. Wedge the ladder in to prevent it from moving around.

Ladder safety tips

1.       Always inspect the ladder prior to using it. Before starting a task, you should always carry out a 'pre-use' check to spot any obvious visual flaws to make sure the ladder is safe to use.

2.       Never overreach, climb down and move the ladder.

3.       Do not place a ladder on an icy surface.

4.       Always maintain three points of contact with the ladder.

5.       Centre your weight between the ladder rails at all times and avoid movements.

6.       The basic rule of thumb to follow is maintaining an ideal ladder placement ratio of 75 degrees.

7.       Add a ladder stabilizer accessory (ladder safety device) to the top of your ladder and follow carefully the instructions.

8.       Do not climb past the second-top rung of a ladder.

9.       Do not exceed the working load limit on the ladder, don't forget to include the weight of your tools.

10.   Have a solid foundation. Check to make sure there are no other hazards like water or mud that could cause your ladder to lose resistance.