Celebrating 10 Years of National Ladder Safety Month
March marks the tenth anniversary of National Ladder Safety Month, dedicated to promoting ladder safety at home and in the workplace. According to the most recent figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 22,710 ladder-related workplace injuries in 2020. That’s about 87 injuries every workday. Join us this March in promoting ladder safety and decreasing ladder-related incidents.
How Can We Participate?
Ladder Safety Month is an opportunity to learn about ladder safety and to take measures to reduce ladder-related workplace injuries. We encourage you to take advantage of the available training resources, attend webinars, and share safety information with colleagues. By prioritizing ladder safety, we can ensure a safer working environment for everyone.
IATSE Workers
TTF Safety First! Fall Prevention and Protection: This course provides an overview of the safe practices for fall prevention and protection while working on the ground or at heights. Topics covered include housekeeping, slips and trips, the hierarchy of controls, ladder safety, travel restraint and fall arrest systems, and specifics related to elevated work platforms, rigging, and scaffold safety. You can find this course in the TTF Safety First! library in the TTF Courses & Resources learning platform and app.
American Ladder Institute’s Ladder Safety Training: This free ladder safety training program is designed to help you properly select, care for, and safely use various types of ladders, including stepladders, single ladders, extension ladders, telescoping ladders, articulated ladders, and mobile ladders. Provided by the American Ladder Institute, this training covers safe ladder practices for all applications, both at work and at home.
American Ladder Institute Webinar Series:
Choosing The Right Ladder for the Job
Date: Thursday, March 5
Time: 2:00-3:00 ESTSelecting the correct ladder is one of the most important decisions before starting work at height. This webinar will cover how to choose the right ladder for the job by matching ladder type, height, and duty rating to the task at hand. Attendees will learn common mistakes to avoid and best practices to help reduce the risk of ladder-related injuries. The first half of the webinar will be presented in English, followed by a repeat of the presentation in Spanish.
Common Ladder Accidents and How to Avoid Them
Date: Tuesday, March 10th
Time: 11:00 AM ESTThis webinar will cover the six most common causes of ladder accidents on the jobsite, discuss what the OSHA standard says, and show practical solutions to the problems. The basic principles of ladder safety will also be discussed (Choosing the Right Ladder, Inspection, Set-up, and Proper Climbing).
Climb Safely, Work Safely
Tuesday, March 24th
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM ESTThis session focuses on the behaviors and decisions that prevent falls before they happen. Topics include:
Overreaching: Why overreaching leads to loss of balance and sudden falls.
Proper body positioning: How foot placement, hip alignment, and three points of contact work together to keep the ladder stable.
Transitioning on and off a ladder: How to step on and off with control, maintain balance, and avoid rushed movements at the top and bottom.
Use of accessories: How levelers and stabilizers improve footing, reduce movement, and support safer setup on uneven surfaces.
The takeaway is simple: safe climbing depends on disciplined positioning, controlled movement, and using the right equipment every time. Climb Safely. Work Safely.
Employers
Here are some ways you can promote ladder safety in the workplace:
Host a ladder safety training event
Put up posters around your workplace
Include information about National Ladder Safety Month and your involvement in employee/customer newsletters and emails
Perform product inspections and dispose of bad ladders at work
Encourage employees to complete the TTF Safety First! Fall Prevention and Protection online course and earn a completion certificate