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How To Improve Ladder Safety For Homeowners and Businesses

Although handy for home improvement projects and construction jobs, ladders are one of the most dangerous pieces of equipment found in homes and businesses. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, over 43% of fatal falls in the home involve the use of ladders, while in the business world, ladder falls account for 20% of all falls on worksites, and over 80% of falls in the construction industry. Their instability, combined with frequent misuse, makes ladders a dangerous piece of equipment to use if not handled safely. In today's blog post, we look at four ways to improve ladder safety both at home and in the workplace.

Use As Instructed

While many might assume using a ladder is simple enough, ladder manufacturers create and affix usage and warning stickers on ladders for good reason. For example, ladder instructions and warning labels note specific weight limits for ladder use, and also warn users to never stand on the top shelf. It's meant to be a shelf and not an additional step. If a person needs to step on the top shelf to accomplish a task or reach an object, this means the ladder being used is too short, and the person is risking their health by using the ladder in an improper way. Ladder-related accidents can range from cuts and concussions to serious injuries or even death. 

Stable Ground Is Necessary

Secondly, a number of ladder-related injuries and fatalities occur because the ladder is not used on a dry, secure, and level surface. Always secure the ladder on safe, even ground, and never on uneven or weak surfaces. Unstable ladders are extremely dangerous because they can easily topple over, causing both personal injury and possible property damages.  This step is critical, whether using ladders at home or on a business property

Get A Helper

Additionally, anyone using a ladder should ideally have a second person holding the ladder to secure it even further, whether on a home improvement project or a worksite. This added layer of protection helps ensure the ladder remains stable and the person using it remains safe. The person helping during ladder use can also pass up tools and equipment safely, and can help stabilize the ladder if something suddenly occurs, such as the user losing their balance or being startled by an animal or other distraction.  To ensure workplace safety, businesses can implement a safety policy that requires a helper whenever a ladder is in use, reducing potential Workers Compensation claims.

Use Only As A Ladder

The key to avoiding ladder-related injuries is to always make sure the ladder is being used as a ladder, and not for some other function or purpose. Ladders should be used as ladders, and not as scaffolding or a bridge to cross over onto another surface. Also, homeowners or business workers using ladders should never reach too far away from the ladder because there is a much greater likelihood for falls or injuries.

Safe ladder usage can go a long way in keeping homeowners, renters, and employees safer, protecting personal health and also reducing Workers Compensation claims. Aegis can also help protect personal and commercial clients through a full range of top quality insurance solutions that meet the unique needs of customers. Contact Aegis today at 713-850-7622 for more information about our Personal and Commercial coverage options, or go online to request a free quote!

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