Boy Scouts of America

Ladder Safety

Adult Audience Only, Update January 2024

 

Prioritizing Ladder Safety for a Steady Ascent and Descent

Hello Scouts and Scouters, today’s safety moment revolves around a crucial aspect of outdoor activities—ensuring ladder safety to prevent accidents. As we delve into the ladder of safety, let’s explore key tips and practices that can help us enjoy our adventures without compromising our well-being.

Understanding Ladder Accidents:
  1. Common Causes: Studies by the American Ladder Institute have highlighted that missing the final step and overreaching are the primary factors contributing to ladder accidents.
  2. Preventable Incidents: Most ladder-related accidents are avoidable with a mindful approach and adherence to fundamental ladder safety precautions.
Essential Ladder Safety Practices:
  1. Choosing the Right Ladder: Selecting the appropriate ladder is vital. Calculate the maximum reach height, which is about 4 feet higher than the ladder’s height. Also, consider the ladder’s duty rating to match it with your workload and weight.
  2. Secure Placement: Ensure the ladder is on stable, level ground. Clear away debris and obstructions from its base and top. Secure the base to prevent unintended movement. Non-slip feet or outriggers can enhance stability.
  3. Cautious Descent: Whether climbing up or down, exercise care and face the ladder. Take your time when climbing down and avoid skipping any steps.
  4. Maintain Three Points of Contact: While ascending or descending, always have three points of contact for balance—two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand.
  5. Stay Within Reach: When working from a ladder, keep your body and center of gravity between the side rails. This minimizes the risk of imbalance.
  6. Use Proper Equipment: Utilize additional tools like ladder stabilizers, standoff arms, or safety harnesses for added security during elevated tasks.
  7. Continuous Vigilance: Regularly inspect ladders for wear, damage, or defects. Replace or repair any compromised parts promptly.

By prioritizing ladder safety and integrating these practices into our outdoor endeavors, we create a secure environment for ourselves and fellow Scouts. Let’s climb with confidence, prioritize safety, and continue enjoying our scouting experiences while keeping accidents at bay. Stay safe and have a rewarding outdoor adventure!

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.