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| Use Ladders
Safely |
Ladders are so useful
and commonplace that they are often taken for granted.
That's a mistake, because falling off a ladder also is commonplace.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that each year more
than 511,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms, doctors'
offices and clinics and other medical settings because they failed
to use ladders safely. Most of the injuries are cuts, bruises and
fractured bones. However, more than 300 people a year die from injuries
related to ladders--that's almost one death per day.
Orthopedic surgeons who treat these injuries, and the American Ladder
Institute know that many of these injuries and deaths could be avoided
by following safety guidelines on the use of ladders. |
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| Use the
Correct Ladder |
| Use a ladder of proper
length to reach the working height you need. Inside a house, that
probably means a low stepladder; outside, you may need a taller
stepladder, and for some projects, an even taller single or extension
ladder. Use a ladder according to use and working load--the combined
weight of the climber and the load being carried.* |
|
TYPE
|
DUTY
RATING
|
WORKING
LOAD (LBS. MAX)
|
|
IA
|
Industrial-extra
heavy
|
300
|
|
I
|
Industrial-heavy
|
250
|
|
II
|
Commercial-medium
|
225
|
|
III
|
Household-light
|
200
|
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* American Academy
of Orthopedic SurgeonsTM & American Ladder
Institute
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| Ladder
Safety |
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