Ladder Safety Starts at Home
National Summer Safety Week (May 1–7)
As warmer weather arrives and home improvement projects pick up, one of the most common tools in the garage remains an overlooked source of injury: the ladder.
As warmer weather arrives and home improvement projects pick up across the country, the Canada Safety Council is urging Canadians to take a closer look at how they approach routine work at height.
Falls remain the leading cause of injury-related hospitalization in Canada.
Many incidents happen during familiar tasks, including gutter cleaning, painting and quick repairs.
Risk is often underestimated, making shortcuts more likely.
These aren’t high-risk jobs, and that’s exactly the problem. People treat them as routine, grabbing whatever is nearby, and rushing through the task. But assuming that experience will carry them through is exactly when things go wrong.
By the Numbers...
According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, falls remain the leading cause of injury-related hospitalization in Canada. Ladder-related falls are a consistent contributor to injury-related emergency department visits each year in Canada, often resulting in serious injuries including fractures and head trauma.
Statistics are gathered primarily at the provincial level by aggregate.
For example, British Columbia:
Worker fatalities (2023) due to falls from heights
Loss claims for injuries relating to falls from ladders (2024)...
Source: WorkSafeBC, via CityNews Vancouver
...of which included fractures, contusions and strains
Why Incidents Happen
Improper Ladder Setup
This is frequently the case due to rushing and cutting corners, or assuming that experience is enough to mitigate and overcome risks.
Overreaching
Trying to extend one’s reach instead of repositioning creates an instability that can lead to falling.
Unstable or Improvised Equipment
Using what’s available, instead of what’s appropriate, is an unneeded risk vector.
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Safety Actions
Use the right ladder for the task
Different ladders carry different strengths. Consider material, environment of use and user weight (including weight of tools and supplies.)
Place the ladder on stable, level ground
Avoid mud puddles, soft earth, snow, and any footing that could shift. Prefer solid, firm floors and dry, compacted soil.
Maintain three points of contact
Whether it’s two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand, three-point contact stabilizes you and minimizes your risk of falling.
Avoid improvised setups or overreaching
Do not use chairs, boxes or other stacked materials as a ladder substitute. Keep your belt buckle between the ladder rails at all time, repositioning if needed.
Have someone nearby when working at height
A spotter can provide stability and prevent slippage by holding the ladder at the base. They can also call for help in case of emergency.
Stay Ladder Smart
The Canada Safety Council offers a short online ladder safety course designed to reinforce proper setup and use.
As Canadians head into peak renovation season, households are encouraged to pause before starting work at height and make safety part of the plan. Taking a few extra minutes to choose the right equipment, set it up properly, and avoid shortcuts can prevent serious injury.
For more information, please contact: