Ladder Safety: It’s Time To Pay Attention

People all over the country use ladders for all sorts of activities. There are ladders that get you 2 feet off the ground and those that help you reach 200 feet. Whether you’re a fireman rescuing someone from a burning high rise or a handyman clearing out your gutters, ladder safety is serious business.

“I’ve climbed a million ladders before. I know what I’m doing”

We receive answers like this time and time again from people who consider ladder safety on the “easier side” of safety knowledge.  Ladders are a tool that we use as frequently a hammer. But just like a hammer, if you don’t know how to properly use a ladder, it can cause major damage.

The National Safety Council recently released a comprehensive overview of how to use ladders in a safe manner. This is incredibly useful and should be read by everyone but it’s also important to highlight “The Why” of safe ladder use.

For ladder safety, “The Why” couldn’t be more clear:

In 2017, falls accounted for nearly 21% of all preventable deaths in America. They are also ranked #1 on the preventable injury list, accounting for over 31% of the 28 million non-fatal injuries recorded last year. So, whether you’re in charge of a small task or a massive workforce, listen up. Now’s the time to open your eyes and do some reading on ladder safety.

For more advice on workplace safety, please reach out to FDRsafety.