A weekend accident has put the spotlight on ladder safety after a man in his 60s was airlifted to hospital with upper body injuries after falling about four metres off a ladder in Haddon.
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According to data from the Monash University Accident Research Centre, 73 Ballarat residents presented to emergency departments following falls from ladders over the three years from 2019-20 to 2021-22.
More than half were aged 60 or older, with 40 to 49-year-olds comprising 14 per cent of all cases.
Almost 30 per cent of those who presented to hospital after falling from a ladder in the City of Ballarat were admitted to hospital.
The most common injuries resulting from a fall from a ladder fall in Ballarat were fractures, which accounted for 40 per cent of all injuries sustained, followed by dislocations, sprains and strains (18 per cent), and superficial injuries or open wounds (15 per cent).
The figures are reported to the the Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset from emergency departments across the state.
Over the same three-year period, Moorabool had 23 ladder falls requiring ED treatment with 14 requiring hospital admission. Hepburn had 11, with 46 per cent of victims sustaining fractures, Golden Plains had 17 with 47 per cent of injuries being fractures, and Pyrenees had six ladder fall victims.
According to the Victorian Health Department, the number of people hospitalised for injuries as a result of falls on and from ladders has more than doubled in recent years.
In a recommendation following analysis of home-related injuries in its magazine Hazard, produced by MUARC's Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit, the group found the most common place of injury was the home outdoor area.
"Falling from ladders were fairly common, usually in outdoor areas while cleaning gutters, working on roofs, replacing roof tiles, pruning trees; indoor areas included tasks such as cleaning top shelves, dusting above cabinets and other housework-related tasks; while painting walls," they wrote.
"Home injury prevention should focus on improving safety around the house and safe practices when engaged in DIY activities. This includes prevention of ladder falls and power-tool related injury, and driveway safety."
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Ladder falls were most likely to occur outdoors.
Across the state there were 3522 falls from ladders requiring emergency attention from 2019-20 to 2021-22 with people aged 50 to 76 accounting for 56 per cent of those who fell. Just under half of all people who fell were admitted to hospital or transferred for further treatment.
Ladder safety tips
- Make sure your ladder is the right height for the jobs you are likely to use it for.
- Use a standards-approved ladder (Australian Standard AS/NZS 1892).
- Check that your ladder is in good working order. Ensure your ladder is free from rust, has non-slip safety feet, and that safety locks and braces are in place.
- Make sure the ladder is rated for the weight you need it to carry. This includes your weight, the weight of tools and supplies you are using and any objects placed on the ladder.
- Read the manufacturer's advice and follow safety warnings.
Work in the right conditions
- Don't work in wet, windy or hot conditions. A very hot day can cause people to feel dizzy or faint and lose their balance on a ladder. A wet or windy day may cause you or the ladder to slip or fall.
- Check that your ladder is on even ground, as surfaces that are uneven or sloped will increase your risk of falling from the ladder.
- Make sure your ladder is not placed in front of outward-opening doors or windows.
- Wear non-slip, enclosed footwear. Do not wear socks, slippers or shoes without a closed-in heel.
- Make sure someone is home with you while you are on the ladder, in case you have an accident and need assistance.
- Having another person with you to hold and support the ladder can help prevent the ladder from slipping.
How to set up your ladder safely
- Place the ladder on dry, firm and level ground.
- Always ensure the ladder is locked firmly into place before use.
- If you are working on an extension ladder, make sure it extends at least one metre over the top of the surface it rests against and secure it at the top.
Work safely up the ladder
- Stay in the centre of the ladder as you climb. Work within your arm's reach and never lean too far from a ladder - it is much safer to get down and readjust the ladder.
- Only climb as far as the second step from the top of a step ladder or the third step or rung from the top of an extension ladder.
- Be careful when pulling items from shelves, gutters and roofs as this may cause you to lose your balance.
- Maintain three points of contact at all times while on the ladder. Use 2 hands when climbing. When using a tool, make sure both feet and your other hand are secure on the ladder.
- Two people should never climb the ladder at the same time even if their combined weight is below the maximum weight capacity.
(courtesy of the Victorian Health Department's Better Health Channel)
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