Preventing men falling off ladders
The Australian Government has launched a national ladder safety campaign to reduce the rate of ladder injuries steadily increasing among older Australian men. The campaign ties in closely with a ladder injuries research project funded by EMF.
The EMF research is led by Dr Gabriella Butler, an Emergency Registrar at Nambour Hospital. The team’s ongoing research aims to to reduce ladder injuries by identifying key risk factors and helping to design future safety campaigns to raise community awareness.
Each year, nearly 2000 Australians aged 65 years and over are hospitalised with ladder related injuries.
The ‘Ladder safety matters’ campaign, a joint initiative of all Australian Consumer Law regulators, including the Queensland Office of Fair Trading,.encourages older Australian men to stop and think before they use a ladder. It’s often the split-second decision or risky shortcut that results in a fall.
The following information is taken from the campaign.
Safety tips
Following some simple ladder safety tips can reduce the risk of injury:
- choose the right ladder for the job
- don’t work in wet or windy conditions
- take time to set up your ladder
- work safely up the ladder
- have another person hold the ladder
- know your limits and work to your ability.
Ladder safety videos
Follow the campaign link below to watch Mick, John and Paul tell their stories about falling from ladders, the recovery process and how the fall has impacted their lives and the lives of those around them.
Mick’s story
Mick, an active retiree, fell from a DIY structure he had set up in order to trim a hedge.
John’s story
John’s father, Nick, fell from a ladder while investigating a leaking roof five years ago and has not fully recovered from his injuries.
Paul’s story
Paul was sanding the exterior of his house when he overreached and fell more than two metres from a ladder.
Find out more about the campaign
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