🪜 March 2026 Safety Topic: Ladder Safety & Eye Strain Safety:

🌟 Why Ladder Safety Matters?

Ladder safety creates awareness to decrease injuries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2020 workplace ladder injuries were 22,710 and 161 fatalities.

 🧐 What You Can Watch For

Knowing how to inspect and properly use a ladder will help prevent ladder related accidents:

  • Inspect ladder for damage and proper labels and rating on ladder, Prior to use.
  • 3 points of contact with ladder when climbing (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand)
  • Do not carry tools/materials in hands while climbing ladders.
  • Keep ladder clean and free from slippery rungs, steps and feet.
  • Use ladders on level and stable surfaces.
  • Do not mount ladder on objects to extend height.
  • Do not move ladder while person or equipment is using ladder.
  • Never exceed weight limits.
  • Do not reach or lean away from center of gravity on ladder.
  • Secure ladder in safe location when not in use.

🧘 OSHA places Fall Hazards as one of the Focus Four workplace hazards

Proper ladder training and use is the first step of preventing Fall Hazards

👁️ Screen time Increases Digital Eye Strain

According to the VSP 2024 Workplace Vision Heath Report, workers should seek eye strain relief during work.

  • Employees combine work and personal screen time on daily basis.
  • Weekly individual screen time has increased to 97 hours between computer work, personal tv and cell phone use.
  • Strain negatively affects productivity, after work activity, irritability and overall well being

📈 Create Productive Environment

Reduce eye strain in your daily workplace

  • Eye breaks from screens
  • Screen protectors and anti-glare screens
  • Display placed 20 to 26 inches from eyes.
  • Screen should be slightly lower than eye level
  • Lighting placed to lower glare/reflections on screens
  • Anti-reflective/glare lenses in glasses reduce blue light from screens

🌟 Quick steps every day

Quick tips throughout the day

  • 20-20-20 breaks Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds
  • Integrate breaks between breaks between normal breaks, take screen breaks
  • Document holders, hold physical reading documents at eye level with screen
  • Night Light, Computer setting that reduces blue light
  • Outdoor breaks, further eye focus distances and relief from artificial lighting
  • Print to create physical documents to read instead of screen reading
  • Keep a reusable water bottle at your desk to encourage steady hydration
  • Know your fatigue take a quick break from the screen and refresh

❓ Want to Know More?

 

Please Remember: Safety is EVERYONE’S Responsibility!

Best,

Courthouse Safety Committee

Email: safety@co.coos.or.us