HSE Press Office: Putting the record straight

The Editor
Nottingham Evening Post
Castle Wharf House
Nottingham
NG1 7EU

07 October 2005

Dear Sir

The Health and Safety Executive has repeatedly made clear that sensible health and safety is about managing risks, not eliminating them, and B W Hunt's assertion that window cleaners will soon no longer be able to use ladders in their work is wrong (letters, 5 October).

Ladders can be used safely and sensibly, which is why HSE is not banning them - despite misinformation to the contrary. If you would like more information please see our website at www.hse.gov.uk/press/2005/e05110.htm. Falls from height are the biggest cause of workplace deaths and ladders account for about a third of the 4000 major injuries from falls at work each year.

HSE aims to protect people's health and safety by ensuring that risks in the workplace are properly controlled. With nearly 40 million days working days lost to occupational injury and ill-health in 2003/4, more needs to be done.

Yours faithfully

Ian Greenwood

Head of the HSE Falls from Height Team