Monday, June 17, 2013

NIOSH Mobile App Focuses on Ladder Safety

NIOSH has published a free mobile app aimed at improving extension ladder safety. The Ladder Safety app has an angle of inclination indicator making it easy to set an extension ladder at the proper angle (75.5 degrees). The app is available through the NIOSH website, Apple App-store and Android Market.

"Falls from ladders are an important source of preventable construction injuries. Misjudging the ladder angle is an important risk factor for a fall. If the ladder is set too steeply, it is more likely to fall back or slide away during use, and if it is set too shallow then the bottom can slide out," NIOSH explains. The app’s inclination indicator allows most cell phones to provide both a visual and an audible signal when the ladder angle is correctly set. The app also includes other information about ladder safety, such as selection, inspection and accessorizing.

NIOSH and industry partners--including ASSE--are engaged in a national campaign to prevent falls in construction.