A few ladder safety tips to help you prevent injuries

If you’re using a ladder on a daily basis, there’s a good chance you could fall off the ladder and hurt yourself. For this reason, you may want to brush up on the following ladder safety tips from the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA).

Here’s what you need to know in terms of ladder safety:

• Always read the labels on ladders and familiarize yourself with the safety information found on labels before using them. Be careful to adhere to these safety rules.
• Keep away from any kind of electrical hazards. Makes sure your ladder is not close to power lines.
• Inspect the ladder before using it. Fix the ladder if it’s damaged and don’t use it.
• Keep three points on the ladder at all times. Either two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand. Keep your weight centered toward the middle of the steps when climbing.
• Never put your foot on the top step or rung of the ladder you’re using.
• Only set up the ladder on a level and stable place.
• Never put the ladder on an unstable base like a box or piece of equipment.
• Don’t move the ladder while someone is on it.
• Secure ladders that are vulnerable to being hit or knocked over by other work activities.

In addition to the above safety tips, perhaps the best tip of all is to use your common sense. If the idea doesn’t seem safe, don’t do it. Take care to follow your instincts and you will avoid most ladder safety risks. Getting a job done quicker or cheaper is never an excuse to put yourself at risk of suffering a workplace injury that results in a workers’ compensation claim.

Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration, “Portable Ladder Safety,” accessed April 11, 2018