Climb Smart: A Decade of Effort to Stop a Silent Epidemic of Ladder Falls

CLEVELAND, OH – February 24, 2026

It is a tool so common in American homes and worksites that its potential for danger is often overlooked. But each year, ladders are involved in more than 500,000 medically treated injuries and are responsible for over 300 deaths in the United States. In a startling trend, the number of fatalities from ladder-related falls has tripled over the past decade, placing the U.S. at the top of the list for such incidents globally.

In response to this pervasive and preventable crisis, the American Ladder Institute (ALI) is launching its 10th annual National Ladder Safety Month this March. With the theme “10 Years of Safer Climbing,” the campaign aims to intensify its educational outreach, reminding homeowners and professionals alike that a few simple checks can be the difference between a completed task and a life-altering tragedy.

The Hidden Danger in Homes and Workplaces

While images of construction sites may come to mind, the vast majority of ladder accidents occur far from professional job sites. Research indicates that a staggering 97% of ladder-related injuries happen in non-occupational settings like homes and farms. These incidents, often stemming from routine tasks like cleaning gutters or changing a lightbulb, contribute to an $11 billion annual economic burden from lost work, medical costs, and legal fees.

The risk is not evenly distributed. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the CDC’s NIOSH program identifies several high-risk groups. The construction and extraction industry, for example, consistently reports the highest rates of ladder fall injuries, with an estimated 81% of all fall injuries treated in emergency rooms involving a ladder. Workers in installation, maintenance, and repair also face significant risks.

Demographics play a crucial role. Men account for the overwhelming majority of fall victims. Older adults, particularly those over 65, are more susceptible to severe outcomes due to issues with balance and bone density; workers in this age group have a ladder fall fatality rate three times higher than their younger counterparts. Furthermore, statistics show that Hispanic workers and those who are self-employed or work for very small companies experience disproportionately high rates of both fatal and nonfatal injuries.

According to safety experts, the causes behind these statistics are tragically consistent and largely preventable. The most common cause of a fall is not equipment failure, but improper user behavior. Overreaching, failing to set the ladder on stable ground, using the wrong type of ladder for the job, and failing to maintain three points of contact (two feet and a hand, or two hands and a foot) are among the top reasons for accidents.

A Decade of Dedication to Safer Climbing

For ten years, National Ladder Safety Month has been the only program in the nation dedicated exclusively to tackling this issue. Founded in 1947, the American Ladder Institute, a non-profit association, serves as the U.S. industry's approved developer of ANSI safety standards. Its March campaign represents a concentrated effort to bring these standards from the factory floor to the end user.

The “10 Years of Safer Climbing” anniversary highlights a sustained commitment that extends beyond ALI itself. The campaign is bolstered by a coalition of industry leaders and trade organizations. Middle Rung Sponsors for 2026 include major manufacturers like Werner Co. and Louisville Ladder, alongside the International Masonry Institute and the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers. This collaboration underscores a collective recognition of the problem and a shared responsibility to promote a culture of safety.

Long-time partners like Werner have been involved for nearly a decade, contributing not just financially but also through active participation, hosting educational webinars and providing free downloadable resources. This industry-wide support system is crucial for amplifying the campaign's message, which reportedly reached millions of people last year.

Your Free Guide to Mastering Ladder Safety

At the core of ALI’s initiative is the belief that education is the most effective tool for prevention. The cornerstone of this effort is a comprehensive and free online Ladder Safety Training program, available year-round to anyone with an internet connection at www.laddersafetytraining.org. To date, the program has certified over half a million users across its various modules.

The training platform is designed for a broad audience, from seasoned contractors to DIY homeowners. It features videos, detailed guides, and interactive tests broken down by ladder type, including stepladders, extension ladders, and articulated ladders. Users who successfully complete a module receive a certificate, and ALI plans to expand its reach by offering the program in Spanish later this year.

For March 2026, National Ladder Safety Month will focus on five distinct weekly themes, each addressing a critical phase of safe ladder use:

• Week One: Choosing the Right Ladder. This foundational topic stresses the importance of selecting a ladder based on its type, height, and duty rating (weight capacity) to match the specific task at hand.

• Week Two: Check Before You Climb. Users are taught how to perform a quick but vital inspection before every use, looking for damaged or worn components that could lead to failure.

• Week Three: Set It Up Safely. This week tackles the leading causes of falls, providing guidance on ensuring level and firm footing, avoiding hazards like doorways and electrical wires, and achieving the correct angle for extension ladders.

• Week Four: Climb Safely, Work Safely. The focus shifts to user behavior on the ladder, reinforcing the three-points-of-contact rule and warning against the dangers of overreaching or carrying heavy items while climbing.

• Week Five: Safe Steps with Stepstools. This final theme acknowledges that even small ladders and stepstools can be dangerous if used improperly, providing specific advice for these common household tools.

The High Stakes of a Simple Task

The persistence of ladder-related accidents highlights a dangerous gap between the perceived simplicity of the tool and the real-world risks of its misuse. Federal safety agencies like OSHA maintain that nearly 100% of all ladder accidents are preventable through proper equipment and training.

The annual campaign by the American Ladder Institute and its partners serves as a critical reminder that safety is an active practice, not a passive assumption. By breaking down safe usage into simple, memorable steps and providing the tools to learn them free of charge, the program aims to empower individuals and companies to eliminate preventable falls. With free, accessible resources readily available, the power to prevent the next fall is within everyone's reach.