Ladder Safety
Ladders are an important and frequently used tool not just within construction, but our day-to-day lives as well. According to the American Ladder Institute, over 100 people die in ladder related-incidents each year, and thousands suffer injuries. Knowing how to properly set up and use a ladder is crucial in preventing these accidents. Today’s Safety Saturday moment discusses ladder safety.
March is National Ladder Safety Month, and we’re helping to increase awareness and decrease accidents, injuries, and fatalities. There are many factors to consider when you have to work with a ladder. Before you even pull out a ladder, you must consider how tall the ladder must be for the job you’re doing. Observe your surroundings for power sources, and use a non-conductive ladder if necessary. Ensure your ladder is strong enough to support not just the worker, but the weight of their equipment as well, and that it has no signs of damage. Remember the four-to-one rule when staging your ladder, and set up the base of the ladder one foot away for every four feet in height. Maintain three points of contact on the ladder at all times, and never let your belt buckle extend past the side rails.
Ladders are important to a variety of jobs, and practicing caution around them at all times can prevent thousands of accidents each year. To learn more about ladder safety and get involved in National Ladder Safety Month, visit www.laddersafetymonth.com for more information and resources.
Until next time, from all of us at the W. L. French Safety Department, stay safe out there.