It’s National Ladder Safety Month
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March is the first-ever National Ladder Safety Month. Each year in the U.S., more than 500,000 people are treated1 and about 300 people die2 from ladder-related injuries. The estimated annual cost of ladder injuries in the U.S. is $24 billion, including work loss, medical, legal, liability, and pain and suffering expenses1. Data analysis from three surveillance systems in 2011 showed that workers who are male, Hispanic, older, self-employed, work in smaller establishments, and work in construction, maintenance, and repair experience higher rates of falls from ladders3. It is evident from these numbers that ladder-related falls are a serious problem and that there is a need to reduce the resulting injury and death.
The goals for the inaugural National Ladder Safety Month observance, sponsored by the American Ladder Institute, are to heighten awareness, reinforce safety training, and educate homeowners and workers. For more information about this safety observance, visit the National Ladder Safety Month website.
The campaign’s four weekly focus areas include:
- March 1 – 11: Overall Importance of Ladder Safety
- March 12 – 18: Ladder Safety at Work
- March 19 – 25: Ladder Safety at Home
- March 26 – April 1: Ladder Inspection and Disposal
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has a broad program addressing falls in the workplace including the award-winning Ladder Safety App. You can read more about the app on the blog post Ladder Safety: There’s an App for That and the follow-up blog NIOSH Ladder Safety App Evolves with User Feedback. Make sure to follow NIOSH on social media throughout the month for safety tips and info to share with workers. You may also be interested in our new Ladder Safety app infographic and postcard to share with your employer and co-workers.
We want to hear from you! What are you doing to raise awareness about ladder safety in your organization this week?
Peter Simeonov, PhD, is a Research Safety Engineer in the Protective Technology Branch in the NIOSH Division of Safety Research.
Sydney Webb, PhD, is a Health Communications Specialist in the NIOSH Division of Safety Research.
See related blogs
Ladder Safety: There’s an App for That
NIOSH Ladder Safety App Evolves with User Feedback
Ladder Safety in the Wholesale and Retail Trade Sector: Take the Right Steps towards Safety
References
- CPSC (US Consumer Product Safety Commission) [2014]. Unpublished data from the National Injury Information Clearinghouse (CPSC) using the CPSC’s Injury Cost Model.
- CDC, National Center for Health Statistics [2017]. Multiple Cause of Death 1999-2015 on CDC WONDER Online Database. Accessed at http://wonder.cdc.gov/mcd-icd10.html.
- Socias C., Chaumont Menéndez C, Collins J, Simeonov P [2014]. Occupational Ladder Fall Injuries – United States, 2011. MMWR 63(16), April 25, 2014; 341-346.
8 comments on “It’s National Ladder Safety Month”
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Every month is Ladder Safety Month!
Great stuff. You can never be too safe when using a ladder. Thankfully safety is a lot better than when I started working with ladders many decades ago
Every month is Ladder Safety Month
Nice Article! At my business, [name removed] in Naples Florida I make sure that we all focus on safety. This article will help with roll call training. The importance of ladder safety cant be stressed enough. We work hard to be safe while performing Home Inspections, wind mitigations, and HUD Consultant jobs! -Thanks again
I an VERY serious about ladder safety.
I’m a ladder enthusiast, I have 13 in my collection currently, and I take safety as my number #1 concern.
I was shopping at my local grocery store and saw a older lady on a small 3 step ladder, on the top step, reaching forward to restock a shelf in the refrigerated section. Very unsafe. I’ve been instructing grant funded, Fall Prevention Programs to seniors in my county since 2016. What she needed was a longer ladder with a top railing for support and balance! So, I contacted the store’s headquarters and advised them what I saw, that falls are the #1 cause of injury deaths among older people. I told them that a fall can cause a number of life threatening injuries, a downward spiral to other health issues, a loss of independence and even her/his life! I suggested a step stool with a railing they can hold for support. The store got back to me right away and stated they would forward my safety concern to their staff. My grandma died from a fall. I held her hand as she died. So sad. My mom fell often too. I know so many seniors who have fallen. Know that Most Falls can be Prevented! For seniors, there are grant funded, ‘evidence based,” Fall Prevention Programs taught in your county! I instruct “A Matter of Balance” Fall Prevention Program. It’s a great program. Contact your Area Agency on Aging, your Senior Center, your YMCA to see who is instructing MOB or a similar “evidence-based” fall prevention program. The programs cover the many aspects of falls, how to prevent falls, safe exercising…! Don’t wait until you fall to learn on how to Prevent Falls! Just one fall can cost you your health, independence…your life! Even if you have to travel a bit to attend the 4 week program, do so!
God I love ladders