September 13, 2016
A new national education campaign led in Queensland by the Office of Fair Trading will be encouraging older men to rethink the way they use ladders.
About 1600 men aged over 65 are hospitalised in Australia each year with ladder-related injuries, most while doing DIY or maintenance work at home.
Of those admitted to hospital, one third need intensive care, and about one quarter of these intensive care patients die.
And of those who survive, over half are not well enough to live at home after 12 months.
Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said on Tuesday she knew many older Queensland men take great pride in home maintenance.
“Using a ladder around the home is something they’ve done for decades, but re-thinking the risks involved is what this campaign is all about.
“A ladder fall can have a lasting impact on both the injured person and their family, and often the consequences of a fall go far beyond the injuries themselves.”
Ms D’Ath said many men have difficulty adjusting to life after a fall, where they are less mobile, less independent and less able to do their own maintenance and DIY work.
“Research indicates older men suffer a heavy sense of loss at not being able to help out around the house, and this would be felt particularly among Queensland men used to being outdoors.
“The burden on families can also be significant, with family members leaving employment to care for fall victims, or returning to work to be able to afford the professional ongoing care needed.”
The campaign features stories of three ladder fall victims and chronicles their fall, recovery and life after their ladder injury.
Campaign spokesperson Dr Owen Roodenburg, head of the Trauma Intensive Care Unit at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, said almost every ladder injury was preventable.
“Often it’s a split-second decision, something the man knows is a risky shortcut, that lands them in hospital,” Dr Roodenburg said.
“The figures show just how serious a fall from a ladder can be, and should be a sobering reminder for older Aussie men to stop and think before doing something risky on a ladder.
“It’s very important to maintain three points of contact at all times and not overreach.”
Simple ladder safety tips that can drastically reduce the risk of injury:
- Choose the right ladder for the job
- Don’t work in wet or windy conditions
- Take time to set up your ladder
- Work safely up the ladder
- Have another person hold the ladder
- Know your limits and work to your ability
More information and videos of ladder fall victims Mick, John and Paul is available online.
