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March Is #NationalLadderSafetyMonth

Every year more than 100 people die in ladder-related accidents, and thousands suffer disabling injuries, according to the American Ladder Institute.

Every time you climb a ladder, you are at risk of becoming one of the 136,118 people who suffers from a ladder-related injury each year in the United States. Ladders are the most dangerous household tool because most ladder accidents occur due to of improper use, not manufacturing defects.

What is National Safety Month?

Because of those statistics, the American Ladder Institute (ALI) launched National Ladder Safety Month. It is the only movement dedicated exclusively to the promotion of ladder safety, at home and at work. During March 2023, National Ladder Safety Month will bring heightened awareness to the importance of the safe use of ladders through resources, training, and a national dialogue.

Ladder accidents are preventable with thorough safety planning, training, and continuous innovation in product design.

Each week during the 2023 National Ladder Safety Month ALI will focus on these topics:

  • Choosing Your Ladder
  • Safety Before the First Step (Inspection and Set Up)
  • Safety While Climbing
  • Safety at the Top

The goal of National Ladder Safety Month includes:

  • Decrease number of ladder-related injuries and fatalities
  • Increase the number of ladder safety training certificates issued by ALI
  • Increase the frequency that ladder safety training modules are viewed on http://www.laddersafetytraining.org
  • Lower the rankings of ladder-related safety citations on OSHA’s yearly “Top 10 Citations List”
  • Increase the number of in-person ladder trainings
  • Increase the number of companies and individuals that inspect and properly dispose of old, damaged, or obsolete ladders

Increase Ladder Safety and Decrease Your Chances of an Accident

An important step (no pun intended) to increase ladder safety is to select the right ladder for the job you need it for. There are hundreds of manufacturers of ladders, yet only six basic ladder types. Click here to find out the use for each ladder.

There are some dos and don’ts when it comes to using a ladder.

Do:

  • Keep your body centered on the ladder. Never sway or reach so far that you let your belt buckle pass beyond the sides of the ladder.
  • Move materials with extreme caution when standing on a ladder.
  • Climb up and down facing the ladder and use both hands.
  • Haul materials up on a line instead of carrying them up an extension ladder.
  • Examine your ladder for rough spots, cracks, splinters, and broken rungs before climbing on.
  • Maintain wooden ladders with clear sealant. A fiberglass ladder should have a lacquer that is not worn or scraped.

Don’t:

  • Stand above the second step from the top of a stepladder or the fourth rung from the top of an extension ladder.
  • Climb a closed stepladder; it can slip out from under you.
  • Exceed the duty rating by allowing more than one person on a single-sided stepladder or extension ladder.
  • Overreach or try to move a ladder while on it.

There are some handy accessories available for ladders. The Flip Tray for Step Ladders allows the ladder user to place items on the top, thus decreasing the number of times needed climb down and then back up the ladder for supplies. The Quick Click Stabilizer attaches to extension ladders and has arms that provide a broader area for the ladder to lean on. The Level Master quickly stabilizes the ladder on uneven or sloping ground. The two or four-sided Multi-Pocket Tool Holder fits over the top of the stepladder allowing tools to be close and convenient. Extension Ladder Covers are rubber covers that protect whatever the extension ladder is leaning against.

Finally, even if you are not superstitious, never walk under an open ladder (especially if a black cat crosses your path.) Seriously, don’t do it. You could accidentally bump the ladder, causing it to fall on you or dropping the person who is on it.

Always take precautions and don’t rush. Otherwise, you may find yourself as an unwanted statistic.

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Homeowner Handbook To-Do | #NationalLadderSafetyMonth

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