Holiday ladder safety tips from WorkSafeBC and Preventable
As the holiday season approaches, WorkSafeBC and The Community Against Preventable Injuries (Preventable) are reminding British Columbians to use ladders safely — at home, at work, and in the community.
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Ladder injuries are a concern for both workers and members of the public. In 2024, WorkSafeBC accepted 876 time-loss claims for injuries related to falls from ladders, 309 of which were serious, and included fractures, contusions, and strains. In the community, an average of 485 British Columbians are hospitalized for falls from ladders and scaffolding each year.
The holiday season brings increased ladder use — both indoors and outdoors. Workers may be managing inventory, putting up or taking down lights and decorations, or cleaning gutters, while people at home may be decorating, organizing storage, or tackling seasonal chores. Outdoor tasks are often performed in cold, wet, or icy conditions and carry additional hazards, including the risk of contact with overhead power lines.
To help prevent these injuries, WorkSafeBC and Preventable want to remind workers, employers, and the public to follow these ladder-safety tips this holiday season:
- Wind, rain, snow, and ice may pose hazards. Avoid ladder work in inclement weather.
- Check for power lines. Stay at least three metres from high-voltage power lines (large overhead lines on tall poles). Keep at least one metre away from lower-voltage service lines that run to individual homes.
- Select the right ladder for the job and ensure it is long enough to extend one metre above the upper landing. Place the ladder on a firm, level surface.
- Inspect the ladder before each use to ensure it is in good working condition, looking for cracks or loose rungs, and verify the load rating.
- Wear slip-resistant, closed-toe shoes with good traction to prevent slips and maintain stability when using ladders.
- Maintain three points of contact while climbing a ladder: two feet and one hand, or two hands and one foot.
- Do not work from the top two rungs of the ladder. Drawing a yellow line on the ladder can help remind you not to step beyond the top rung.
- Avoid carrying heavy or bulky objects while climbing up or down.
- Avoid reaching up on tiptoes or leaning over on the ladder — instead, get a taller ladder, or climb down and move the ladder over to the right spot.
- Work in well-lit areas — never use ladders in poor lighting or darkness.
- To prevent musculoskeletal injuries, be mindful of reaching, bending, or using awkward postures.
- Have someone hold the ladder for additional stability. The spotter can also keep others from passing underneath while work is being done overhead and can bring any additional tools or equipment as needed.
Quotes:
Todd McDonald, Head of Prevention Services at WorkSafeBC
Before doing any work at heights, you need to assess the risks — this means evaluating the hazards associated with weather, the equipment, and the task. While falls from ladders are most common in the construction industry, they can happen in any workplace. Workers need to choose the right ladder for the job, ensure it’s in good working condition, and take the time to set it up and use it safely.
Dr. Ian Pike, Spokesperson, The Community Against Preventable Injuries (Preventable)
“We should have the same mindset toward preventing an injury whether we’ re using a ladder at work or at home. Taking an extra second to run through that mental checklist — such as Is the ladder set up properly? Is it in good working order? — can keep the holiday season merry, bright, and injury-free. Drawing a mental yellow line to stop ourselves from leaning over to hang that last light can help avoid a trip to the hospital.”
Resources
WorkSafeBC:
Preventable:
About WorkSafeBC
WorkSafeBC engages workers and employers to prevent injury, disease, and disability in B.C. When work-related injuries or diseases occur, WorkSafeBC provides compensation and support to people in their recovery, rehabilitation, and safe return to work. We serve 2.7 million workers and 285,000 employers across B.C.
About The Community Against Preventable Injuries
The Community Against Preventable Injuries (Preventable) is a non-profit organization designed to raise awareness, transform attitudes, and ultimately change behaviour. Since 2009, we have been working to remind British Columbians that injuries are, in fact, preventable, and that simple actions can make a difference.
For more information, contact:
Media Relations, WorkSafeBC
Email: media@worksafebc.com
Tel: 604.276.5157
Samantha Bruin, The Community Against Preventable Injuries
Email: samantha.bruin@preventable.ca
Tel: 604.805.3850