EVERY year, 1,600 men aged over 65 are hospitalised with ladder-related injuries, with most occurring during home maintenance and DIY work.
A new national education campaign is being rolled-out this month to encourage men to consider their safety and avoid engaging in risky ladder use.
Campaign spokesperson Dr Owen Roodenburg, Head of the Trauma Intensive Care Unit at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, said almost every ladder injury was preventable.
“Often it’s a split-second decision, something the man knows is a risky shortcut, that lands them in hospital,” Dr Roodenburg said.
“Of those admitted to hospital, one third need intensive care. Shockingly, a quarter of these intensive care patients die, and of those who do survive, over half are not well enough to live at home after 12 months.
“The figures show just how serious a fall from a ladder can be and should be a sobering reminder for older Aussie men to stop and think before doing something risky on a ladder.
“It’s very important to maintain three points of contact at all times and not overreach.”
These simple ladder safety tips can drastically reduce the risk of injury:
- Choose the right ladder for the job
- Don’t work in wet or windy conditions
- Take time to set up your ladder
- Work safely up the ladder
- Have another person hold the ladder
- Know your limits and work to your ability.
