According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, in 2023, approximately 500,000 people were treated for ladder-related injuries, with around 300 of those incidents proving fatal.
Source: These statistics are reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Ladder safety is important because it can prevent serious injury or death from falls, electrical shock, and falling objects. Ladder safety is also important because it can minimize the economic impact of ladder-related accidents, which can include medical costs, lost productivity, and legal fees.
Here are some tips for ladder safety:
Choose the right ladder: Using the wrong ladder is the leading cause of ladder accidents.
Inspect ladders: Never skimp on ladder inspections.
Set up ladders properly: Place ladders on stable or level surfaces, or secure them to prevent displacement.
Climb ladders properly: Always face the ladder when climbing up or down, and maintain three points of contact with the ladder at all times.
Don't overload the ladder: Don't carry any object or load that could cause you to lose balance and fall.
Don't stand on the top rung: Never stand on the top rung or step of the ladder.
Barricade the area below: When working with tools while on a ladder, barricade the area below to avoid accidentally dropping an object on a bystander.
Secure the top of portable ladders: When using a portable ladder alone, secure the top of the ladder with a rope, cord, or other means.
Consider the Duty Rating of the ladder. This is an indication of the maximum weight capacity the ladder can safely carry. To figure out the total amount of weight your ladder will be supporting, add:
Your Weight; plus
The Weight of Your Clothing and Protective Equipment; plus
The Weight of Tools and Supplies You Are Carrying; plus
The Weight of Tools and Supplies Stored on the Ladder
There are five categories of ladder Duty Ratings:
Type IAA (Extra Heavy Duty) - 375 pounds
Type IA (Extra Heavy Duty) - 300 pounds
Type I (Heavy Duty) - 250 pounds
Type II (Medium Duty) - 225 pounds
Type III (Light Duty) - 200 pounds
The Duty Rating of your ladder can be found on the specifications label. Safety standards require a Duty Rating sticker to be placed on the side of every ladder. Do not assume that a longer ladder has a higher weight capacity. There is no relationship between ladder length and weight capacity.