It is estimated that 4.5 million ladders are sold in the U.S. every year. Each year there are more than 164,000 emergency room-treated injuries and 300 deaths in the U.S. that are caused by falls from ladders. Most ladder deaths are from falls of 10 feet or less (nachi.org). Climbing a ladder on a project site may be an occasional occurrence for many employees, and in most offices, a ladder is used for routine maintenance tasks. At construction sites, ladder use is constant. While warehouses and industrial facilities may have several types of ladders, most homes have at least one and possibly two or more. In fact, 500,000 falls from ladders occur annually and 97% of those falls occur at home (ishn.com).

Over the last ten years, falls from a ladder continue to consume a large percentage of workplace fatalities and, overall, the number of fatalities and injuries continues to rise, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). During the past thirteen years, ladders have averaged #6 on OSHA’s General Industry top 10 violations list. Human error is the number one reason for ladder falls and fatalities. Simple technology and simple to use, with many things that can wrong.

What is your ladder Near Miss?

If you have used a ladder, you have most likely experienced a Near Miss. Did you drop a tool or paintbrush? Lose your balance while over-reaching? Slip on a rung? Miss the bottom step, or two?

Ladder safety is a regular topic on the safety training calendar. Like many workplace safety topics, Ladder Safety has its own month (March), but ladder safety is not seasonal. It may be one of the most frequently used year-round tools in the workplace and at home, inside and outside.

Step Ladders, Extension Ladders, Multipurpose Ladders, Articulated Ladders, and Step Stools raise us above our normal reach and make accomplishing a myriad of tasks possible. Ladder inspections and maintenance are common in the industrial setting, but thoroughly inspecting a home ladder before use is important as well as it may not be used frequently. It is also necessary to think about the height needed and the height gained when considering ladder use.

Choose the right ladder to work safely.

Ladders come in standard sizes, people do not. Your height and weight factor into choosing the correct ladder. Knowing how far you need to reach, along with your height, will determine the size of step ladder you will need. According to the Louisville Ladder Company, a person 5’ 7” with a 12” vertical reach, using a 10-foot ladder would have a maximum reach of 14’ 2”.

The ladder’s weight capacity includes you, your tools, and any supplies you take with you. That extra weight load can make you off balance, increasing the likelihood of a fall. For your safety, it is preferred that you use a tool belt, an assistant, or some type of lift system to get the tools where you need them. Most household ladders are Type III, and rated up to 200 lbs. A type I heavy-duty commercial ladder is rated to 250 lbs. It has been KERAMIDA’s observation that many industrial settings use a Type 1AA (Extra Heavy-duty) ladder with a weight capacity of 375 pounds.

Ladder Safety Tips:

1. Inspect the ladder before use. Do not use a broken ladder.

2. Clean the rungs, ladder feet, and gripping surfaces.

3. Place the ladder on a stable surface. Tie straight ladders on the top and/or bottom to secure.

4. When using a straight ladder to get to another level (ex. Roof), ensure the top of the ladder is three feet above the step-off level.

5. Face the ladder when ascending/descending.

6. Do not stand on the top platform of a ladder.

7. Secure tools, buckets, etc., to avoid dropped tools.

8. Ensure you and your tools are well‐balanced when you climb the ladder. Even better, use an assistant to hand you tools or use a tool lift system (like a bucket and rope) whenever possible.

9. Maintain three points of contact at all times.

Remember – “Secure” and “Stable” when using a ladder:

• Secure:

  • The ladder

  • Your tools

  • Your position (center of the ladder, three points of contact)

• Stable:

  • Ladder footing

  • Gripping surfaces (feet and hands)

  • Ladder Tie-off

  • Position height (do not stand higher than the third step from the top of a step ladder, or fourth rung on an extension ladder)

Purchasing a ladder for personal use?

Before you buy – carry it. Test if you can physically carry and maneuver the ladder. After all, you will not have a shopping cart to push it to the front yard. Fiberglass ladders are lighter in weight, have non-conductive sides, and are safe to use around electricity. Remember also that cheaper may not be the best way to go. A good quality ladder, properly cared for, will last for years. Although an expensive outlay at first, the cost over time makes it a good investment.

Our experienced safety consultants and trainers are available to help you. Please contact us or call (800) 508-8034 to speak with one of our professionals.

Blog Author

Diana Ludwig, STSC
Project Manager, Security, Safety & Health
KERAMIDA Inc.

Contact Diana at dludwig@keramida.com.