Though the number of citations decreased from 2016, improper use of ladders resulted in 2,241 citations in 2017, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced at the National Safety Council’s 2017 Congress and Expo. OSHA’s Top 10 remains generally consistent year over year, with a slight re-ordering the citations and one addition to the top 10 list: Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503).
The primary objective of issuing citations is to better ensure a safe and secure environment and promote safety awareness among workers. Ultimately, a safer environment with more well-informed workers should reduce the number of injuries and deaths. It is for that reason that so much attention is given to the list of OSHA’s “Top 10 List” of citations.
There may be a correlation between the slight decrease in ladder-related citations and injuries as, according to research by the American Ladder Institute (ALI), most companies have also experienced the same or fewer number of ladder-related accidents over the last five years. Participating companies noted that, given the type of accidents reported, additional ladder safety training could have further decreased the number of accidents. For this reason, nearly three quarters of participating organizations mandate ladder safety training.
Adding a requirement that all employees complete Ladder Safety Training is a simple step that an organization can take to help decrease the number of costly citations and accidents. Mandating safety training simply makes financial sense. In 2017, falls accounted for $17 billion in worker compensation costs in the United States alone. These costs can be avoided through mandated, free Ladder Safety Training offered by ALI.
Take the first step in broadening ladder safety awareness by participating in the second annual National Ladder Safety Month this March. With resources such as ladder safety training videos, safety posters, shareable graphics and more, make proper ladder use a priority for you and your company. Visit the National Ladder Safety Month website to learn more, and hang this Number of Accident-Free Days poster in an easy-to-see location to assure that safety is front-of-mind. You can also view and share this video that provides a sneak peek of National Ladder Safety Month’s segment on The Lifestyle List, which airs March 10.
Questions about National Ladder Safety Month? Contact marketing@americanladderinstitute.org.
Contributing Author: American Ladder Institute (ALI)
ALI is the ANSI-approved developer of safety standards for the ladder industry and serves as the A14 Secretariat. Learn more about the different standards, including the recently revised A14.2 and A14.5 standards.
