Elevate Your Safety Game: Ladder Safety on the Job

Ladder safety is often overlooked on the job.  E3’s Safety and Claims department has compiled a few tips to help keep you and your employees safe when using ladders in the workplace.

Did you know?

–>   Each year, on average, more than 300 people die and over 500,000 sustain serious injuries in accidents involving ladders, according to the American Ladder Institute.

–>   40% of ladder accident injuries are caused by the user setting up the ladder at an incorrect angle

–>   The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has implemented several federal laws relating to ladder safety.

When climbing or working from a ladder, always maintain three points of contact—two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand. Avoid overreaching or leaning too far to one side, as this can cause the ladder to tip. Tools should be carried in a tool belt or raised using a rope, rather than being held in hand while climbing. If working near electrical sources, use a non-conductive ladder made from fiberglass. Following these simple ladder safety practices can significantly reduce the risk of falls and ensure a safer working environment.

Here are some more of E3’s best ladder tips to practice in the workplace and share with your employees.

1. Make sure your ladder is placed on a safe and leveled surface, and set up at the correct extension angle
2. Regularly check if your ladder is in good condition — replace it when rungs feel wobbly, look rusted, or overall poorly maintained
3. Stay in the center of the latter rungs at all times
4. Do NOT use the top rungs of a ladder under any circumstances
5. Feeling fatigued or unsteady? Slowly and safely return to the ground to take a break.

Stay safe!