Take the time to be safe on ladders

You can do a lot in 87 days.

Over the last five years SAIF has accepted 1,600 claims involving ladders or scaffolding that were significant enough to miss work. On average, those who missed work missed 87 days.

And that's just days of work missed—it doesn't account for weekends, birthday parties, soccer games, hikes, or road trips.

March is Ladder Safety Month and a good time to make sure you and your employees are using ladders properly to prevent injuries. 

Here are some tips:

Choose the right one: Select your ladder based on the task ahead. Consider materials (e.g. metal vs. wood) and load limits.

Set it up securely: Find a stable, even surface, remove debris around the base, and check for hazards.

Climb safely: Always face the ladder while ascending and descending and maintain three points of contact. Also, follow the "belt buckle rule": keep your belt buckle between the side rails.

Store and check it regularly: Secure ladders when not in use with cords, straps, wall brackets, or racks. Keep it clean and replace damaged parts.

Building a strong ladder safety program means potentially fewer lost work days, and more time for the things that matter.

For more tips on safe ladder use, visit saif.com/ladders.