National Ladder Safety Month is an annual March campaign led by the American Ladder Institute (ALI), a not-for-profit trade association, to reduce ladder-related injuries and deaths at home and on the job. First observed in 2016, it is described by ALI as the only program dedicated exclusively to promoting ladder safety.
For employers, ladders are everyday tools that are easy to take for granted. A short climb to change a light, check a trailer or reach a shelf can end in a serious fall. March gives safety teams a focused month to inspect ladders, retrain users and reset habits before the busy spring and summer work season.
When Is National Ladder Safety Month in 2027?
National Ladder Safety Month runs for all of March, from March 1 to March 31, 2027. ALI holds it every March and announces the year's theme and materials ahead of time on its National Ladder Safety Month website. In 2026, ALI marked the campaign's 10th anniversary and organized the month into weekly topics, from choosing the right ladder to safe use of stepstools.
Why It Matters at Work
Falls from ladders are a leading cause of serious injuries and deaths in construction, maintenance, warehousing, retail and many other industries. According to NIOSH's ladder safety page, which draws on Bureau of Labor Statistics data, ladder falls caused 161 workplace fatalities and 22,710 workplace injuries in 2020. Installation, maintenance and repair jobs accounted for 5,790 of those injuries, construction and extraction jobs for 5,370, and service jobs for 3,160.
Most ladder incidents trace back to a short list of causes: the wrong ladder for the job, a damaged ladder, poor setup on an uneven or slippery surface, the wrong angle, overreaching, and carrying tools or materials while climbing. These are exactly the issues a good inspection routine and fall protection program are built to catch.
Fleets are not exempt. Drivers and technicians climb ladders and steps to reach trailer roofs, tanker hatches, cab-over engines and loading docks, often in rain, ice or wind.
How to Take Part
ALI provides free safety flyers, promotional materials and best practices on its campaign site, plus free online ladder safety training at laddersafetytraining.org. Ideas for your workplace or fleet:
- Run a ladder inventory and inspection. Check every ladder for cracked or bent rails, missing feet, loose rungs, damaged locks and missing labels. Tag and remove any that fail.
- Use ALI's weekly topics. Build one short talk a week around selection, inspection, setup and safe climbing.
- Assign free training. Have ladder users complete ALI's online courses and record completion.
- Match ladders to tasks. Review whether crews have the right types and lengths, including nonconductive ladders for electrical work.
- Review fleet access points. Look at how drivers reach trailer roofs, tanks and equipment, and whether fixed steps or platforms would be safer.
- Recognize good practice. Encourage supervisors to log positive observations when they see three points of contact and proper setup.
Toolbox Talk: Climb Smart, Every Time
Use this outline for a 5-minute toolbox talk during March.
- Pick the right ladder. Use a ladder tall enough for the task and rated for your weight plus tools. Use nonconductive ladders near electrical hazards.
- Inspect before you climb. Look for damage, missing parts and slippery material on rungs and feet. If it is damaged, tag it and take it out of service.
- Set it up safely. Place it on firm, level ground. For extension ladders, follow the 4-to-1 rule: one foot out for every four feet of height. Extend it at least 3 feet above the landing you are stepping onto.
- Keep three points of contact. Face the ladder and keep two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand, on it at all times. Carry tools on a belt or hoist them up.
- Do not overreach. Keep your belt buckle between the rails. Climb down and move the ladder instead of leaning out.
Discussion question: When was the last time you used a ladder that you knew was not quite right for the job, and what made you use it anyway?
Related Requirements
OSHA regulates ladders in both general industry and construction. The general industry rule at 29 CFR 1910.23 covers ladder design, inspection before initial use in each work shift, and removal of defective ladders from service. In construction, Subpart X covers ladders and stairways, including requirements that portable ladders used to reach an upper landing extend at least 3 feet above it and that workers be trained by a competent person to recognize ladder hazards.
How SMS360 Helps
SMS360's Audits & Inspections module lets you build digital ladder inspection checklists that crews can complete on a phone or tablet before use. Failed items can trigger corrective actions, such as tagging out or replacing a ladder, that are assigned and tracked to completion. Inspection records are stored in one place, and dashboards show which sites are keeping up. You can also schedule and track ladder training so you know who has completed it.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is National Ladder Safety Month 2027?
National Ladder Safety Month runs from March 1 to March 31, 2027. The American Ladder Institute holds it every March. ALI publishes the year's theme, weekly topics and free materials on its campaign website.
Who started National Ladder Safety Month?
The American Ladder Institute started National Ladder Safety Month in 2016. ALI is a not-for-profit trade association that promotes safe ladder use at home and at work. The campaign marked its 10th anniversary in 2026.
What is the National Ladder Safety Month theme?
ALI sets a new theme each year. For 2026, it celebrated "10 Years of Safer Climbing" with weekly topics on choosing, checking, setting up and climbing ladders. Look for the 2027 theme on ALI's campaign site, and plan ahead for the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls later in the spring.
