Every March, the American Ladder Institute (ALI) organizes National Ladder Safety Month to promote the safe use of ladders both at home and in the workplace and decrease injuries and fatalities caused by ladder misuse.
First held in 2016, 2026 marks the tenth year of this safety-focused awareness campaign. This year’s themes include:
- Training and awareness
- Inspection and maintenance
- Stabilization, setup and accessories
- Safe climbing and positioning
As part of the annual event, ALI and companies such as Little Giant Ladder Systems, Springville, Utah; Louisville Ladder, Louisville, Ky.; and Werner, Itasca, Ill., are offering a number of resources to promote ladder safety as part of this year’s campaign, including several webinars and other resources.
“Electrical contractors work in environments where ladder safety is foundational to the job,” said Amanda Henson, vice president of marketing at ProDriven Global Brands, which owns the Werner brand. “Providing real-world training for electricians in their work environments, encouraging consistent ladder inspections and modeling safe climbing behaviors on the job site strengthens accountability at every level. National Ladder Safety Month serves as an important reminder that proper training, the right equipment and strong job site awareness all play a role in preventing injuries. Werner is proud to support efforts that help ensure every electrician returns home safely at the end of the day.”
Given that fall safety and ladder safety continue to be among the top 10 OSHA violations, it’s vital that employers continue raising awareness about ladder safety and promoting safe practices.
According to OSHA, it’s important to understand the different types of ladders (e.g., extension ladders vs. step ladders) to choose the correct one for the job, and to know best practices for safe ladder use. It is also vital to follow all pertinent OSHA requirements related to ladder use.
About The Author
Colleen Beaty
Managing EditorColleen Beaty is managing editor at ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR Magazine, where she has worked since 2020. She has been writing about topics such as outside line work, wildlife and habitat conservation for two decades. In her role with ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR, she primarily works with the editorial team to fine-tune stories for the magazines and curate content for ECmag.com. She can also be found hosting ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR's webinars. She holds a BS in wildlife conservation from the University of Delaware.
Colleen is fueled by tea (especially chai), and can often be found cross-stitching or birding in her spare time (but not both at once).
Reach her on LinkedIn or at [email protected].
