Ladder Safety to Prevent Foot and Ankle Injuries
Everyone needs to get on a ladder occasionally, perhaps to change a light bulb or reach something stored on a high shelf. Falls off ladders are common causes of foot and ankle sprains and fractures. Stay safe by learning and following a few simple recommendations to ensure ladder safety.
1. Consider a New Ladder
Ladder safety regulations are frequently reconsidered and reissued. If your ladder is older than 20 years, please consider investing in a new one with modern safety features such as slip resistant rungs and mechanisms that keep it securely locked in place when open. Government safety regulations ensure that all ladders come with information on their sides, providing information about their specifications, warnings, and directions for use. Become familiar with these ladder-safety basics before you place your foot on the first rung of your new ladder.
2. Look Before You Climb
Before each use, look for damage on the rungs and side rails, and check for flaws such as cracks or missing safety feet-the rubber attachments that help keep the ladder from slipping. Be sure to inspect the latches that secure an extension ladder when it's fed out to full length. Retire any damaged ladder.
3. Use the Right Ladder for the Job and Set It Up Properly
Using the wrong ladder is a major risk factor in ladder falls that lead to injuries. Never stretch to reach from the top of a too-short ladder. Similarly, stepladders should never be propped against a wall for use. That's not how they're designed to work. Always place your ladder on a secure, solid surface. Follow the 4-to-1 rule for stability: set the ladder's base out one foot for every 4 feet of elevation.
4. Watch Your Weight
Ladders are rated for weight capacity, but that weight capacity includes your tool belt, safety gear, tools, and more. Err on the side of caution. A 250 pound person should not use a ladder safety rated for 250 pounds.
5. Climb Safely
Only one person should be on a ladder at any time. Follow the three-point contact safety guideline for climbing: only one foot or hand should be out of contact with the ladder at any time. Never stand on the top three steps of a straight ladder or the top two steps of a stepladder.
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