Why Your District Should Prioritize Ladder Safety

Ladder safety is of great importance as it not only prevents accidents and injuries but also ensures the well-being of individuals using ladders. This blog will touch on the concerns surrounding accidents stemming from falls from ladders and provide guidance on how to navigate these possible risks.

From classroom teachers to maintenance staff, all school employees are at risk for ladder-related injuries. According to OSHA, falls from ladders are one of the leading causes of occupational fatalities and injuries. The most common types of ladders used in schools include step stools, step ladders, and extension ladders. Districts should prioritize ladder safety training to ensure all staff are aware of the risks and how they can stay safe.

Ladder Safety Statistics

Ladders are frequently utilized across many professions, especially in maintenance and construction, and find common usage in school environments. In the United States, ladder-related injuries are significant, with over 500,000 people seeking treatment and about 300 fatalities annually, as reported by the CDC.

To highlight the importance of ladder safety, here is a list of OSHA’s top 5 most-cited safety violations of 2023, with ladders coming in at number three.

Standard — Violations

• Fall Protection – General Requirements – 7,271
• Hazard Communication – 3,213
• Ladders – 2,978
• Scaffolding – 2,859
• Powered Industrial Trucks – 2,561

Understanding these statistics helps to shed light on the critical need for proper ladder use.

Some common misuses of ladders include missing a step when climbing up or down, overreaching while on the ladder, not maintaining three points of contact, placing the ladder on uneven ground, or choosing the wrong ladder for the task at hand.

Ladder injuries happen less when ladders are used correctly. By being aware of these potential risks and hazards, employees can make informed decisions, significantly reducing the likelihood of ladder-related incidents.

School-Related Ladder Safety Risks

Ladders are used at all times of the school year, with certain periods experiencing heightened usage. The beginning and end of the school year tend to be peak times for ladder use, notably during classroom setup and material movement. Injuries are more common during these periods, reflecting the increased activity.

Ladder use is frequent for various reasons for maintenance staff, classroom teachers, and school staff.

Common reasons for ladder use include the following:

• Lifting and moving boxes to and from high shelves.
• Taking down or hanging decorations.
• Fixing items that are high up.
• Changing lightbulbs.
• Reaching the ceiling.
• Accessing the roof.
• Accessing heating and air conditioning systems.

All school staff bring  various skills to ensure schools remain operational, safe, and comfortable. Understanding the importance of ladder safety training ensures the safety of all.

OSHA School Ladder Safety Requirements

Ensuring ladder safety through effective ladder training is the best way to prevent avoidable accidents. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that 73% of surveyed victims of workplace ladder accidents had not received training on the safe use of ladders.

Training programs should cover a variety of aspects including emphasizing the importance of ladder safety use, selecting the right ladder, proper ladder maintenance, setting up ladders correctly, and do’s and don’ts. Trainings should also provide industry-specific information, engage the audience effectively, incorporate follow-up safety meetings, and provide ongoing reminders to reinforce safe practices.

The following are a few DO’S and DON’TS related to safe ladder use from the OSHA website.

DO

• Maintain 3 points of contact when climbing or descending a ladder (two hands and a foot or two feet and a hand).
• Face the ladder when climbing or descending.
• Keep the body inside the side rails.
• Carry tools in a tool belt or raise tools using a hand line.
• Extend the top of the ladder three feet above the landing.
• Keep ladders free of any slippery materials.
• Use a barricade to keep traffic away from the ladder.

DON’T

• Place a ladder on boxes, barrels, or unstable bases.
• Use a ladder on soft ground or unstable footing.
• Exceed the ladder’s maximum load rating.
• Move or shift a ladder with a person or equipment on the ladder.
• Lean out beyond the ladder’s side rails.
• Use a damaged ladder.

Firsthand Accounts from Teachers

Many of you have probably seen teachers and staff in your schools engaging in unsafe makeshift ladder practices. Especially when it comes to quickly hanging something in their classroom or a board in the hallway.

There are even entire Reddit feeds and other forums dedicated to these types of unsafe practices. The Staffroom forum poses the question “Does your school insist on stepladders for displays” with dozens of responses. Many reflect the sentiment that it’s just easier to stand on tables or chairs, so how can your district make it easier and commonplace for teachers and staff to take the safer approach?

What Can You Do to Improve Ladder Safety in Your District?

Improving ladder safety in your district is an ongoing effort, but simple strategies and the right timing can make all the difference. Below are three ideas that focus on prevention, that you can start implementing this year and help reduce the risk of ladder accidents.

1. Provide Ladder Safety Training

The most effective means of guaranteeing the safety of all staff members in your district is through ladder safety training. OSHA asserts that 100% of ladder accidents could be prevented through proper equipment care and ladder training.  In the incident that a ladder accident does occur, you should offer refresher training to help prevent any future accidents.

2. Provide the Right Equipment

How often have you seen a teacher use a chair, desk, upside down trash can, or some other version of a makeshift step stool? Are they using these items because there is a lack of sufficient step stools and ladders for the jobs they need to perform? Can you increase availability and visibility during high-use times? Some resources suggest providing a step stool for every classroom.

3. Increased Support and Oversight

Many resources cite the importance of administration visibility throughout the school day for improving student relationships, school climate and fostering a culture of support for teachers. It also gives teachers and staff opportunities to ask for real-time help. During times of increased ladder usage, are your principals able to walk the halls more frequently and offer help? Can you ask your maintenance staff or custodians to be visible in the halls for help with ladders and step stools?

Start Prioritizing Ladder Safety in Your Schools

This blog serves as a resource to raise awareness about the common accidents resulting from improper ladder use and to guide individuals on navigating this potential hazard safely. The statistics provided highlighted the importance of addressing ladder-related injuries, especially in school settings where employees, from classroom teachers to maintenance staff, face inherent risks. It is imperative for districts to prioritize ladder safety training, ensuring that all staff members are well-informed about the associated risks and equipped with knowledge to stay safe. By fostering a culture of awareness and preventive measures, we can collectively work towards minimizing ladder-related incidents and promoting a safer environment for everyone.