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Dr. Michael E. Pomykala PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS ///
Safety matters every day of the year, but in June, we at Scerbo PT join the National Safety Council (NSC) in celebrating National Safety Month. We’ve addressed various safety issues in previous blogs, but this month we want to focus on some additional aspects of fall prevention at home and in the workplace.
Use Ladders Safely
Ladders are such a commonly used tool that it’s easy to forget the safety risks they can present.
From 2017 to 2021, ladder-related incidents accounted for more than 800 deaths and 27,000-plus nonfatal injuries resulting in days away from work, according to a recent OSHA analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
If you use a ladder at home or at work, you can greatly reduce your risk of an accident by observing these 7 safety tips from safetyandhealthmagazine.com:
1. Pick the right ladder for the job. Don’t make do with a ladder that’s the wrong size since this may lead to overreaching, climbing too high or getting into an awkward position.
2. Inspect before use. Look for loose steps, rungs, nails, screws, and bolts; broken or damaged parts; and compromised warning labels. Also, make sure climbing and gripping surfaces are free of debris and slippery substances.
3. Go (3 feet) above and beyond. OSHA requires that side rails of portable ladders extend 3 feet above the surface being accessed. Do not stand on the top three rungs of a straight, single, or extension ladder.
4. Always maintain three points of contact. Use two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand. And your body should be positioned near the middle of the step. Face the ladder, whether going up or down. Avoid carrying tools or other items when climbing up or down a ladder.
5. Avoid cold or wet weather when using a ladder outdoors.
6. Make a space. Use cones or other markers to alert others to your ladder so they don’t accidentally collide with it.
7. Secure during transport and when storing. Keep ladders in well-ventilated areas away from threats of impact/physical damage and free from heat sources. Make sure wood and fiberglass ladders aren’t subjected to excessive humidity, moisture, and sunlight that may weaken or damage them.
Older Adult Fall Prevention
As our population ages, the prevalence of falls among older adults is increasing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one in four older adults report a fall each year. In 2020, 36, 508 older adults aged 65 and older died from preventable falls, and over 2.8 million were treated in emergency departments.
A review of 54 randomized clinical trials found that the combination of exercise and vision assessment/treatment likely has the strongest association with decreasing fall injuries among older adults. At Scerbo, our Physical Therapists are specialists in helping older adults exercise safely and improve balance to help avoid falls. Our Balance System SD includes a comprehensive Fall Risk Screening & Conditioning Program and Protocol consistent with American Geriatrics Guidelines. You can find out more at https://scerbopt.com/help-center/balance-assessment-and-conditioning/.
We hope you will stay safe at work, at home, and in all you do. And if you do sustain a workplace injury, keep in mind that Scerbo Physical Therapists provide comprehensive Workers Comp services to help restore your ability to work and help you prevent re-injury in the future.