In its fifth year, National Ladder Safety Month was designed to create ladder safety awareness and to decrease ladder-related injuries. Some sobering ladder statistics from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH):

• Over 500,000 people are treated each year for ladder-related falls.
• Over 300 people die as a result of ladder falls each year.

The good news: all accidents are preventable. Safety starts with proper ladder selection for the job.

• Use correct ladder length. When using a step ladder, do not stand on the top of the ladder. With an extension ladder, do not use the top three rungs.
• Work environment  Do not use metal/aluminum ladders when working near electricity sources.
• Consider duty rating. User weight + weight of clothing and protective gear + weight of tools and supplies used on the ladder must all be considered when evaluating a ladder’s duty rating.

Use these best practices for safe ladder use.

• Inspect the ladder locks and pulleys, rungs, rails, ropes and fasteners before use.
• Clear the area of any debris, and place ladder on firm, level ground.
• Use a strong upper resting point and secure the ladder.
• Make sure surrounding doors/traffic are prevented from displacing or disturbing the ladder.
• Always maintain three points of contact when climbing.
• Always face the ladder while climbing.
• Keep body near the middle of the step.
• Don’t over-reach outward as you work.
• Do not move ladder while a person or objects are on the ladder.

Ladders should be set up at a 75 degree angle. The simplest way to achieve this is to have the ladder one unit of measure out from a wall for every four units up. The NIOSH Ladder Safety app can help with proper ladder angle set-up. Its angle measuring tool uses visual, sound, and vibration cues to set an extension ladder at the proper angle.

When you work with the Tri-State/Service Roofing & Sheet Metal Group, you are working with a safe and experienced contractor. We work continuously to improve safety performance–including ladder safety–through our “Working. Safe.” program.