Every month nearly 100 people fall off a ladder at work and suffer serious injuries costing the economy £60m / year. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will promote ladder safety messages through a 'ladder exchange' which aims to remove 4000 'dodgy' ladders from workplaces in Great Britain:
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Over the next 12 weeks, small businesses will get the chance to get their ladders checked and where necessary, trade them in for new ones at a discounted price. HSE is working in close association with Local Authorities, ladder manufacturers and retailers to address the safety issues around access equipment with employers and ladder users.
Dr Elizabeth Gibby, HSE's Head of Injuries Reduction Programme said "We want anyone working at height to use the right ladder for the job and to use it safely. Ladder Exchange is 'the' opportunity for small trade businesses to assess the risks involved in ladder use and adopt sensible health and safety measures".
"In 2005/06 a total of 46 workers died and a further 3351 employees suffered major injuries as a result of a fall from height in the workplace. There is still a lot of poor standard equipment out there and we will do everything it takes to educate people and get rid of 'dodgy' ladders from workplaces. Simple precautions can save lives and help prevent injuries."
When it comes to increasing ladder safety, always ask yourself three simple questions:
- Do you need a ladder or should you use something different?
- Is it the right ladder?
- Are you using the ladder safely?
More information can be obtained on the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/falls/ladderexchange.htm.
HSE has received industry wide support to tackle this issue. The Ladder Association (LA) together with companies such as HSS Hire, SGB Taskmaster, Speedy Hire and Ladderstore.com are all promoting HSE's message around ladder safety.
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