A ‘safety alert’ highlighting essential precautions for the use of ladders around the home has been launched in Adelaide today by Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Commissioner, Mr John Martin.
"At least 83 Australians have died during the past five years after falling from their ladder and thousands more have been seriously injured", Mr Martin said. "The majority of these deaths and injuries were suffered by people using a ladder for home repairs and renovation".
A study undertaken at Royal Adelaide Hospital concluded that deaths and injuries resulting from ladder falls have been increasing in recent years.
Under the product safety provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974, the ACCC is responsible for protecting Australian consumers from unsafe products.
"While some products might not be unsafe in themselves, there may be serious risks associated with their incorrect use, and the ACCC will always act to inform consumers about these dangers" Mr Martin said.
The ACCC, in consultation with Dr Andrew Pearce and Royal Adelaide Hospital, has produced this guide to educate home ‘handymen’ about the hazards associated with incorrect ladder usage, and how they can eliminate those risks.
The guide outlines potentially dangerous practices, and provides a list of simple safety precautions that all users should follow to avoid risk of injury when using a ladder around the home.
Accident data indicates that the group primarily at risk of death or injury from the incorrect use of ladders are men of or nearing retirement age, working around the home.
"While many of those injured were experienced handymen, the repetition of tasks can lead to complacency and over-confidence which may result in people taking shortcuts and the publication aims to remind people of the hazards of taking these risks", Mr Martin said.
"Many of these precautions, such as checking the condition of the ladder before use and ensuring that it is placed on a firm and level surface, are common sense. However, there are also other important safety precautions that may not be immediately apparent but can help alleviate or eliminate the risk of falling and injury which are clearly set out in the guide".
Copies of Safety Alert: Using a ladder are available from all ACCC offices in capital cities and Townsville; from the ACCC website, or from the ACCC Infocentre by calling 1300 302 502.