Calls to step up ladder safety this festive season
As the weather warms up and the days grow longer, many of us will climb ladders to hang festive decorations or perform home repairs – which is why our emergency staff want everyone to step up their ladder safety.
Last summer, a person injured in a serious ladder fall was admitted to The Alfred every two to three days, with many requiring surgery and time in the intensive care unit.
Tim, 59, was finishing a paint job when he slipped and fell.
“I’m reaching out with a brush, trying to reach this last little point, and next thing you know, the ladder slipped,” Tim said.
“All I remember is falling full speed to the ground."
Emergency physician Dr Panagiota Kakridas treated Tim and said she’s concerned by the high number of ladder fall admissions she’s seeing.
“We sometimes see people from work sites, but actually most of the people we treat are falling off ladders at home,” Dr Kakridas said.
“And they’re not always falling from great heights; sometimes we see people who fell from one or two steps and they can still be very seriously injured.”
The most common injuries from ladder falls are to the head and spine as well as broken ribs. Many patients present with multiple injury types.
According to Dr Kakridas men are overrepresented in ladder fall accidents, constituting nine out of ten admissions to the emergency department over the last five years.
“Most of the men we see are between the ages of 50-79, with the highest number of admissions coming from men in their 60s,” Dr Kakridas said.
When it comes to stepping up your ladder safety, a few simple precautions can make all the difference.
“If you’re getting up on a ladder, make sure you tell someone and have them spot you,” Dr Kakridas said.
“Wear sensible footwear and make sure the surface you’re on is flat and not slippery.”
Other measures to take include working within arm’s reach (never lean far from the ladder), always maintaining three points of contact whilst on a ladder, and avoiding climbs on wet, windy or hot weather.
