LADDER SAFETY IN DARWIN

Workplace accidents happen a lot in Darwin and one of the most common home accidents when doing repairs around the home that can cause serious injury, is actually falling from a ladder.

In one recent incident a Darwin home owner fell from their ladder while cleaning their gutter and sustained lower back and arm injury when his ladder slipped and came down. Falls like these are usually serious and can result in significant and long term injuries. Because of the height you are falling from and the fact that most of the time the person involved is not wearing any safety gear.

And let’s not forget that a good portion of Darwin homes are elevated making the issue even more dangerous.

We have all heard the term ‘Darwin Safety Boots’ when a person is performing work in their thongs.

But nothing could be further from the truth.

Injuries like fractured limbs, spinal cord damage, severe brain and skull injury and on the odd occasion death can occur.

Something as simple as installing or removing an antenna, cleaning gutters, or high pressure hosing the roof all carry huge risks because of the height and work platform used to gain access to the roof.

Whenever possible consider hiring a professional to do that small job. It may seem like you can save yourself some money by doing it yourself, but they will carry the right tools, know how, and insurance needed. The long term costs if something should happen to you can be much more significant. Think of your safety first.

If you do decide to go it on your own, try and remember a few things before you do. Like everyone using a ladder is at risk no matter the height. It only takes a 1 meter fall for injury to occur.

Always try and use a proper safety ladder specified for the works undertaken. So steering away from anything on an infomercial is probably for the best.

Don’t reach and extend yourself and limit the weight of anything you might be carrying. Having both arms full, wearing a pair of Dunlop Volley, all while using a worn out ladder you pulled from your Grandfathers shed is probably a recipe for disaster.

Here is a link to NT Worksafe that can give you some more advice.

https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/forms-and-resources/bulletins/portable-ladder-safety2

At Sparks Fly Electrical, your safety is our main concern.