Join the American Ladder Institute in celebrating the first annual Ladder Safety month. The intent of this new designation is to raise awareness for the hazards posed to the US workforce by this very commonly used equipment.
Falls from ladders are preventable, and yet they account for about 20,000 injuries and 300 deaths each year.
A few simple things to remember for safe step ladder use:
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and ladders labels
- Keep slippery materials away from ladders
- Always maintain 3 points of contact (2 hands and one foot or two feet and one hand)
- Face the ladder while climbing up or down
- Use barricades to keep travel away from the ladder
- Only put ladders on stable, level surfaces
- Check for and avoid overhead power lines
OSHA is also participating and will discuss lessons from the field during a safety symposium hosted by the OSHA Education Center at the University of Texas, Arlington.
Find out more about the event and how to participate at the ALI Website.
Also, check out the article by Jack Rector, director of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s area office in Fort Worth, Texas