The American Ladder Institute (ALI), the sole approved developer of safety standards for the U.S. ladder industry, has released the findings from its 2024 Ladder Safety Training and Citations Survey. The survey provides valuable insights into preferred methods of ladder safety education, the types of ladder-related incidents and injuries, the frequency of ladder citations and trends compared to previous surveys conducted in 2016, 2018 and 2020.
The survey asked participants about ladder-related accidents or incidents at their organizations over the past two years. The most common causes identified were improper ladder setup, followed by using the wrong type of ladder for the job (e.g., incorrect length, material, or application).
From 2020 to 2024, ladder-related accidents resulting in serious injury or death decreased by 21%.
The survey also revealed that nearly all organizations (98%) use some form of ladder safety training. Compared to previous years, there has been a noticeable increase in organizations that pay for safety training (35% in 2024, up from 28% in 2020). As in past years, more than 75% of organizations mandate ladder safety training, a practice they have consistently maintained.
Notably, organizations are not required to pay for ladder safety training. ALI offers comprehensive, completely free ladder safety training through its dedicated website, www.laddersafetytraining.org. The site offers a structured curriculum, training videos, and resource libraries—accessible year-round at no cost. These courses can easily supplement or fully integrate with an organization’s existing training program.
Trainers and managers can create customized dashboards via the site’s “Trainer’s Toolbox” to assign and track training modules, assess trainee performance, and monitor progress. Topics covered include single and extension ladders, articulated ladders, mobile ladders, and stepladders. Training is available in both English and Spanish.
Importantly, individuals do not need an invitation to participate. Anyone interested in enhancing their ladder safety awareness can sign up, take training, and complete tests on the site.
ALI emphasizes that ongoing ladder safety training is key to empowering workers to make safe decisions while using ladders. To further promote ladder safety, ALI observes National Ladder Safety Month every March, launching an intensive four-week educational outreach campaign. More details can be found at www.laddersafetymonth.com.
The 2024 Ladder Safety Training and Citations Survey was distributed to ladder safety managers and professionals by ALI’s Education & Outreach Committee, in collaboration with Thomas Associates, Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio. This survey is part of ALI’s continuous efforts to reduce ladder-related incidents and encourage safety training for all ladder users, whether at work or home.
View the full 2024 Ladder Safety Training and Citations Survey.