Ladders (1926.1053) routinely rank among OHSA’s ‘top 10’ list of most frequently cited violations. And every day more than 2,000 ladder-related injuries occur as a result of careless use, improper training, and selecting the wrong ladder for the job. Fastenal’s Safety Specialists are ready to help you avoid these common missteps and create a safer workplace.
Take the first step to ladder safety by contacting our team today at safetyquestions@fastenal.com
Why are there so many ladder-related injuries? By understanding the most common causes of these accidents, you can take steps to prevent them from happening.
Understanding and being aware of your environment can help you determine which ladder is right for the job and avoid an accident. Things to consider:
The majority of ladder injuries occur at home, so it’s important to take the same preventative safety measures before stepping onto your personal ladder.
Make sure to properly inspect your ladder before any job. Failure to do so could result in serious injury or fatality. Things to look for when inspecting:
Remember: inspect before you step.
What if you deem your ladder unsafe and unusable? Don’t just dispose of it – make sure it’s NEVER used again by cutting it in half. You’re probably visualizing cutting from side to side, in the direction of the rungs, but someone could find those pieces and still think they’re usable. Instead, cut directly down the center of the rungs, from top to bottom. This is the best way to protect others from injury, and yourself from liability.
