Have you ever wondered how many ladder accidents happen to people who work around the house?
It’s a scary thought. As a home repair worker, falls from ladders are one of the leading causes of severe injury. But the good news is that those injuries are preventable.
If you know ladder safety basics, you can keep your body intact and avoid lost work time.
Here’s the thing…
Working around the home often means rushing. Skipping steps like ladder inspections. Or taking dangerous shortcuts that could cause a fall.
But ladder safety doesn’t have to be difficult. When it comes to working at height, here are a few tips that every homeowner should know:
What you’re going to learn:
- Why Home Repair Workers Should Take Ladder Safety Seriously
- Most Home Repair Ladder Mistakes
- Setting Up A Ladder The Safe Way
- Ladder Safety Gear: What To Look For & Tips for Inspecting
- Steps To Take If a Ladder Accident Occurs
Why Home Repair Workers Should Take Ladder Safety Seriously
Every year there are over 164,000 ladder-related injuries in the United States. Contractors, handymen and DIY homeowners account for nearly all of those accidents.
What most people don’t know is where they happen.
Contrary to popular belief, most ladder injuries don’t occur on massive construction sites. They occur in homes. While cleaning gutters, painting walls or repairing roof shingles.
Ladder falls are brutal.
They can cause broken bones, spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and death. For the DIY homeowner or professional contractor, a fall could mean weeks or months without a paycheck.
If you’re injured on the job, experts like Tim Bartell can help guide you through occupational illness claims and workers compensation issues.
So before you climb that ladder for your next project, remember why ladder safety is so important.
Most Home Repair Ladder Mistakes
If you want to understand ladder injuries, it all comes down to the most common mistakes made by DIYers.
Let’s go over those mistakes:
- Using improper ladders can cause serious injury. Or worse. Ensure you’re using the right ladder for the job. Too tall? Too short? Or maybe the wrong ladder entirely? Each job has a specific ladder that will work best, but most people just grab whatever is closest.
- Working on uneven ground is never a good idea. Placing your ladder on soft ground, slopes or uneven surfaces is dangerous. Always try to find the flattest area to set up. Or, if none is available, use leveling feet/leg extenders to stabilize the ladder.
- Never overreach when on a ladder. Don’t stretch your toes beyond your ability to reach while on a ladder. Climb down and move the ladder instead. Reaching too far is a leading cause of ladder injuries.
- Do NOT carry tools or materials while climbing a ladder. According to the American Ladder Institute, 62% of reported ladder accidents involved workers carrying materials while climbing. Climbing a ladder with equipment in your hands forces you to break the three points of contact rule.
See how easy that was?
Taking just a few seconds to avoid these mistakes could save your life.
Setting Up A Ladder The Safe Way
Setting up your ladder safely is one of the most important aspects of ladder safety. If you don’t follow the correct procedures your chances of falling increase exponentially.
Let’s walk through how to properly setup a ladder:
First, find a level surface that is firm enough to hold the ladder. Soft ground, grass or dirt are not stable enough to support ladder weight. You can use leveling feet or leg extenders to create a stable base on uneven ground. Never use rocks, bricks or other objects to compensate for soft or uneven ground.
Next, you want to apply the 4-to-1 rule. Take every 4 feet of ladder height and move the ladder base out 1 foot from the wall or surface you will be leaning it on. This creates the ideal angle and helps prevent the ladder from sliding out.
Make sure your ladder extends at least 3 feet above your landing point. This will give you something to hold onto when stepping off at the top.
One more thing…
Always double-check the ladder spreaders are locked on step ladders. Believe it or not, unlocked ladder spreaders are one of the leading causes of step ladder collapses. Take two seconds to ensure they’re locked before climbing.
Ladder Safety Gear: What To Look For & Tips for Inspecting
Once you have your ladder picked out and properly set up, give it a good once-over before climbing. Inspecting your ladder should take less than a minute. But it could save your life.
Things to look for:
- Cracked or bent rails/rungs
- Loose bolts, rivets or screws
- Missing or worn non-slip feet
- Broken locks
- Corrosion/weather damage
If you find any of the issues mentioned above, Tag that ladder out and remove it from service. No project is worth getting injured on.
Besides properly inspecting your ladder, having the right gear can make ladder work that much safer.
Wear non-slip shoes whenever working on a ladder. Tool belts help you stay hands-free when climbing. And if you’ll be working over 10 feet, seriously consider using a harness system.
Oh, and one more thing…
Check the weather forecast. Rainy or windy conditions are hazardous to ladder work. If the weather isn’t ideal, consider postponing your project. Because home repairs can wait, injury from a fall cannot.
Steps To Take If a Ladder Accident Occurs
This is something that hopefully never happens to you. But knowing what to do after a ladder accident is crucial.
Seek medical attention right away.
You might feel fine at first, but there are many injuries like concussions and internal bleeding that have delayed symptoms. Not only will you protect your health by seeing a doctor immediately, but you’ll also create a medical record.
Photograph the ladder and work area.
Document everything. Take pictures of the ladder set up, work area and any potential hazards that may have contributed to the fall.
Report the injury as soon as possible.
Home repair workers need to report any injuries to either their employer or the person who hired them. Each state has different deadlines for reporting workplace injuries.
Those are the three most important things to do if you are injured in a ladder fall. Of course, you should follow up with your doctor and physical therapy if needed.
Ladder injuries can have long-term health consequences. Make sure you do everything you can to recover from your injuries.
Conclusion
Working at height doesn’t have to increase your risk of injury. Ladder safety is something every homeowner should know before climbing up.
Here’s your ladder safety cheatsheet:
- Use the right ladder and inspect it BEFORE use
- Set it up correctly on level ground (remember the 4 to 1 rule)
- Maintain 3 points of contact and NEVER carry things while climbing a ladder
- Wear proper footwear and NEVER work in inclement weather
- Know what to do if you are injured in a ladder fall
It doesn’t take a lot of time or money to practice ladder safety. So take these tips and apply them to your next project. You’ll thank yourself later.