375th AMW Safety Office encourages proper ladder use Published May 15, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Joshua Eikren 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- With warm weather here, many people will begin looking around the house for projects to do, and some will require a ladder to reach high places. According to the National Safety Council, falls are one of the leading causes of unintentional injuries in the United States, accounting for approximately 8.9 million visits to the emergency room annually. For safety, picking the correct ladder for the job is as important as using it properly. "Once you've selected the ladder for the job you should know some basic safety rules before you climb," said Tech Sgt. Kevin Getchell, 375th Air Mobility Wing ground safety NCOIC. He gave the following guidelines: ·Use the 4 to 1 Rule for straight or extension ladders: for every four feet of height, the ladder should be placed a foot back. · For step ladders, never stand higher than the second step from the top. · Make sure all the ladder legs are in contact with the ground. · Never paint wooden ladders, as the paint may hide cracks and other defects. · Aluminum ladders are good conductors of electricity, so be sure to keep them away from power lines and do not use them while doing electrical work. · A ladder should extend two feet above the object you wish to step onto or work on. The other areas of concern are slips and trips, said Getchell. "Slips usually occur on wet surfaces after tracking in water from a big rain storm or kids playing in the water when the weather is nice. Trips, on the other hand, usually occur when items are left out in walkways like toys, tools and cords." Falling injuries range from broken bones to major head injuries. Remember to clear out what is under the climbing area as objects create a greater hazard and more severe injuries in a fall. Getchell said, "For any personal and professional work, always make sure to inspect your tools, personal protective equipment and always use the correct tool for the job. Remember to use sound Operational Risk Management when approaching any task." In the event that someone is injured at home, seek medical attention first. For emergencies call 911. If calling 911 from a personal cell phone while on base, tell the operator the call is from on base so they can transfer it to Team Scott emergency personnel. Then, ensure an AMC IMT 441 form is filled out and sent to the safety office. For more information or questions contact the Safety Office at 256-6311.