FM Alert: Ladder Training Decreases Citations, Accidents

The American Ladder Institute's survey on ladder safety training inspires creation of National Ladder Safety Month, debuting March 2017.

Did you know that, on average, work-related ladder falls result in one death and more than 180 nonfatal injuries every two days in America?

In a 2016 study on the effectiveness of ladder safety training by the American Ladder Institute (ALI), 75 percent of respondents felt that ladder accidents that had occurred in the workplace could have been avoided with safety training. As a result of the study, ALI committed to elevate awareness of the importance of safe ladder use through resources, training, and a national dialogue by establishing National Ladder Safety Month, which debuts in March 2017.

ladder safety“Reported incidents taken from the American Ladder Institute’s 2016 research study showed the two most common causes of ladder accidents are overreaching and missing the last step when descending the ladder,” said Ryan Moss, president of ALI and chief executive officer of Little Giant Ladder Systems. “These two common mistakes can be minimized with proper training. We recommend that those who use ladders at home and on the job are educated and trained on the proper use, care, and selection of ladders. We invite all to join us in embracing National Ladder Safety Month and get trained in the month of March.”

The path to fewer OSHA citations, accidents, and fatalities from ladder use starts with awareness and proper training — both at home and on the job site. Tools available on the National Ladder Safety Month website include training resources, a checklist, Ladder Safety 101, and Safety Standards.

ALI is joined by other organizations in their support of National Ladder Safety Month, including: Amazon, American Roll Form, Batavia Services, Inc., Bauer Corporation, Builders Mutual, Cosco Home & Office Products, Goshen Stamping, Home Depot, Little Giant Ladder Systems, Louisville Ladder, Lynn Ladder & Scaffolding, National Safety Council, Occupational Health and Safety magazine, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Owens Corning, Stokes Ladders, Strongwell, Tri-Arc Manufacturing, Valley Fastener Group and Werner.

Founded in 1947, the American Ladder Institute (ALI) is a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to promoting safe ladder use through ladder safety resources, bilingual safety training, and the development of ladder safety standards. ALI also represents the common business interests of its members who are comprised of the leading ladder and ladder component manufacturers in the United States and Canada.