The construction industry is the most dangerous for ladder use, with falls from ladders being the most common causes of fall-related injuries and fatalities, according to data in a 2013 Safe Work Australia (SWA) 2013 falls from height report.

When a fatality occurs, head injuries are the most common cause of death, with 76 per cent of the 112 workers who died from a fall from a height in the four years 2008–11 doing so because of a head injury.

Buying Tips

• Ensure the ladder is the right height for the jobs you are likely to use it for.
• Check the weight capacity of the ladder.
• If you are a senior citizen or a person with disability you may be eligible for assistance with home maintenance from either your council or local agencies.

By following some simple ladder safety tips the risk of injury can be reduced:

• 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.

35 Injuries per day

36 Deaths per year

Safe Work Australia has the latest report...

Single Sided Stepladders are ligthweight ladders offering strength and stability.

Double Sided Stepladders allows access from both sides and offers greater load bearing strength.

Multi-Purpose Ladders are versatile stepladders that can be separated and made into trestles.

Dual Purpose Ladders allow the ladder to be used in the traditional A frame configuration or opened into a straight ladder.

Step Extension Ladders allow the pratical use of a stepladder and an extendable straight ladder.

Platform Stepladders allow for a safe temporary work platform for working at heights.

Work Platforms are lightweight offering strength and stabillity.

Access Platforms and Order Picking Ladders are designed for safe, easy and efficient use around the warehouse or workplace.

Extension Ladders are available in aluminium and fibreglass for a wide range of applications.

Single Ladders offer strength and stability at heights.

Mobile Scaffold Systems are designed for fast, safe and efficient erection and use at the work site or around the home.

HEIGHTech Safety Systems can supply all the equipment if you are planning to do some roof repair work. Your safety is our business and here's a list of what you need to climb your roof and work safely.

Unions are calling for tougher safety regulations and enforcement to stop workers falling to their deaths at worksites, saying more people will be killed unless self-regulation is scrapped.

Falls from heights are a major cause of death and injury in Australian workplaces, according to Safe Work Australia.

Of the 800,000 Australians who work at heights, including tradesmen, cleaning, and maintenance workers, on average 26 of them fall to their death each year, and almost 8,000 are injured.