A national initiative to reduce death
and injuries caused by dangerous ladders has won the support of
Hambleton and Richmondshire District Councils.
The authorities are supporting the 2011
‘Ladder Exchange’ – a Health and Safety Executive scheme that has
seen thousands of broken, bent and damaged ladders exchanged for
new ones since 2007.
Falls from height continue to be the main
cause of fatalities at work. In Yorkshire in 2009/10 there were
five fatalities and 580 major injuries involving a ladder. That
same year nationally ladders were involved in over 10% of all falls
from height.
“There is nothing wrong with using a ladder if
it is in good order and right for the job,” said Environmental
Health Manager, Philip Mepham.
“However, you could be gambling with your life
by using a dodgy one. Too many people suffer life-changing injuries
or die each year because they used a faulty ladder.
“This initiative is open to any business owner
who wants to swap broken, bent or damaged ladders for new
ones.”
He said that ladders should always be checked
before use and not used if:
- they are bent, split or damaged, or the
fixings are loose − the ladder could collapse
- the feet are missing or worn or damaged − the ladder could
slip
- the rungs are bent, missing or loose − the ladder could become
unstable
- the locking bars are bent or the fixings are
worn or damaged - the ladder could collapse
And Peter Brown, HSE Head of Work Environment,
Radiation and Gas Division added:
"During the next few months, businesses will
again have the opportunity to get their ladders checked and, where
necessary, trade them in for new ones at any of our partner outlets
at a discounted price.
"Our advice to anyone working at height is use
the right ladder for the job. Ladder Exchange provides an ideal
opportunity for businesses to assess the risks involved in using
ladders and to adopt sensible health and safety measures."
He said that the HSE continues to work with
local authorities, ladder manufacturers, retailers, employers and
workers to address the safety issues around all access equipment
for working at height.
The initiative runs until 30 November 2011 –
to find local retailers taking part in the scheme, as well as
advice and guidance on using ladders safely, check out: http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/ladderexchange.htm
- The Ladder Exchange was piloted in 2007 by HSE in partnership
with the Ladder Association, major manufacturers and national
retailers. Since then over 8,000 dodgy ladders have been
exchanged.
- The Ladder Association is the trade association for ladder
manufacturers, suppliers and users. Its safety-related
publications, training courses and website cover all aspects of
safety and best practice. In addition, its specialist committees
contribute to the setting of both national and European standards.
http://www.ladderassociation.org.uk/
- The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national
regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to prevent
death, injury and ill health. It does so through research,
information and advice, promoting training, new and revised
regulations and codes of practice, and working with local authority
partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. For more
information visit http://www.hse.gov.uk/