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Ladder safety and other tips for home renovators from WorkSafeBC
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- How loud is it? (PDF 402kb)
- Personal protective equipment PST exempt (PDF 116kb)
- Renovating or building your home? (PDF 55kb)
- Safe behaviour starts at home (PDF 35kb)
- StartSafe (PDF 640kb)
- Toolbox meetings guides (PDF 84kb)
- Use ladders safely! (PDF 535kb)
Richmond, B.C., February 21, 2007 — “What you need to know before starting a home renovation” is the theme for WorkSafeBC’s participation in this year’s BC Home & Garden Show at BC Place Stadium from February 21 – 25.
“Knowing how to use your household tools and equipment safely should be the first thing you consider before starting any project if you are going to do it yourself,” said Al Johnson, WorkSafeBC’s Regional Director for Construction. “Neglecting safety can cost you, and not just the pain of possible injury.”
Falls from elevation is one of the leading causes of injuries in the home. A 2003 Statistics Canada report states that as a result of falls from elevation, including ladders, there were five deaths per 100,000 people in Canada or 1,500 Canadians.
WorkSafeBC statistics show that almost 2,000 B.C. workers were injured in ladder-related incidents between 2004 and 2005 and that, on average, a worker was off the job for 59 days after a ladder incident.
WorkSafeBC’s booth #1148 is exhibiting safe and unsafe ladders to demonstrate to homeowners both how to use a ladder safely and what is important to know when choosing a ladder for purchase.
Johnson added, “If you’re not doing the job yourself, make sure your contractor is properly registered with WorkSafeBC as you could end up being responsible for the cost of any injuries incurred while someone is working on your property.”
Other materials useful to homeowners, employers, and workers available at the booth include:
- information on asbestos, including a graphic of where asbestos is commonly located in older homes
- information on where to call before digging on your property
- how to check that your general contractor is registered with WorkSafeBC as typical house insurance will not cover costs if an injury occurs
- noise levels of common household tools such as an electrical drill or power saw and information on hearing protection
- tips on gardening safety
Serving nearly two million workers and more than 188,000 employers, WorkSafeBC is a provincial statutory agency governed by a Board of Directors and funded by employers. WorkSafeBC was born out of a compromise between B.C.’s workers and employers in 1917 where workers gave up the right to sue their employers or fellow workers for injuries on the job in return for a no-fault insurance program fully paid for by employers. WorkSafeBC is committed to a safe and healthy workplace and to providing return-to-work rehabilitation and legislated compensation benefits to workers injured as a result of their employment.
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For more information please contact: |
| Michelle McLeod
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