HSE/GNN.Lon/08/07 5 July 2007

Bob the Builder™ backs HSE’s ladder safety campaign

Bob the Builder is taking time out of his live show ‘Build it with Bob’, at the Science Museum on Tuesday 10 July to show support for the Health and Safety Executives’ (HSE’s) ladder safety campaign.

Every month nearly 100 people fall off a ladder at work and suffer serious injuries costing the economy £60 million each year. The HSE will promote ladder safety messages through a ‘ladder exchange’ which aims to remove 4,000 ‘dodgy’ ladders from workplaces in Great Britain.

In 2005/06 a total of 46 workers died and a further 3,351 employees suffered major injury as a result of a fall from height in the workplace. Many of these incidents can be avoided by using the right equipment and taking simple precautions. The HSE is working in close partnership with industry to ensure that anyone involved in working at height uses the right equipment for the job and uses it safely.

Eddie Bailey, Head of HSE’s Falls from Height Team said "We are pleased to be linking up with Bob the Builder at the Science Museum as a way of promoting safe ladder practice. Our ladder exchange programme is another part of our ongoing campaign to reduce the number of fatal and major injuries each year that result from falling from a height".

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?

For more information please visit HSE website http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/index.htm

Photo call and Filming opportunity
You are invited to bring a camera crew/reporter/photographer along to a photo call with Bob the Builder and HSE Inspectors at the Science Museum, South Kensington on Tuesday 10 July at 10:30am

Available to interview will be Eddie Bailey, Head of the HSE’s Falls from Height Team.

Address & Directions:
Address: Science Museum, South Kensington, London, SW7 2DD.
Nearest tube station: South Kensington on District, Circle and Piccadilly lines

Press Enquiries
If you are interested in coming along please contact:
Oliver Jackson 020 7261 8326 or oliver.jackson@gnn.gsi.gov.uk

Notes to editors

1. The aim of Ladder Exchange is to increase general awareness of the risks involved in ladder use and promote sensible health and safety.
2. Information about events during Ladder Exchange and contact details for more information will be available on the HSE website. Alternatively, information is available from local HSE offices whose contact details are on the HSE website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/maps/index.htm
3. Full information, advice and events listings can be found at hse.gov.uk/falls were you can also subscribe for all the latest news and updates.
4. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 came into force on 6 April 2005. The Regulations introduce a hierarchy for use when planning and risk assessing work at height. Duty holders should consider how to avoid work at height. If this is not possible, they should take steps to prevent a fall occurring. Where they cannot prevent a fall, they should take steps to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall.
5. A ladder should only be used where a risk assessment demonstrates that the task is low risk and of short duration, or where there are existing features on site that cannot be altered and the use of other equipment is not practical. Such features include restricted space preventing other equipment from being put in place correctly or ground conditions that mean that there is no suitable area to set up alternative equipment.
6. HSE has published a brief guide to the Work at Height Regulations 2005 http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg401.pdf.
7. HSE has published the following guidance specifically for employers and workers who use ladders
   Safe use of ladder and stepladders – an employers guide http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg402.pdf
   Top tips for ladder safety http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg405.pdf
8. Bob the Builder and his friends, Wendy and Spud have been putting on their interactive shows, ‘Build it with Bob live at the Science Museum’, packed full of fun and learning since May. The show will run until Friday 7 September.
9. The show has been developed in conjunction with the Science Museum and the activities in this unique show encourage children to enjoy learning by taking part.
10. Tickets for the show can be purchased on 0870 870 4868 or through the Science Museum website www.sciencemuseum.org.uk

About Bob the Builder™

Bob the Builder and his machine team are ready to tackle any project. As they hammer out the solutions that lead to a job well done, Bob and the can-do crew demonstrate the power of positive-thinking, problem-solving, teamwork and follow-through. Most importantly, from start to finish, the team always shows that The Fun Is In Getting It Done! Bob the Builder is produced by HOT Animation and can be seen building, digging and hauling on PBS KIDS® and PBS KIDS SproutSM.  For more information about Bob the Builder, and the can-do crew please visit www.bobthebuilder.com.    

About HIT Entertainment

HIT Entertainment, owned by private equity investment group Apax Partners since June 2005, is one of the world's leading independent children's entertainment producers and rights-owners. HIT's portfolio includes properties, such as Bob the Builder™, Thomas & Friends™, Pingu™, Fireman Sam™, and Angelina Ballerina™. HIT acts as a representative for The Wiggles® in the UK, US and Canada and as worldwide representative for The Jim Henson Company’s library of classic family brands. HIT also owns the Guinness World Records™ publishing and television property. Launched in 1989, HIT’s lines of business span television and video production (including studios in the US and the UK), publishing, consumer products licensing and live events. With a catalogue of more than 1,000 hours of young children's programming, HIT sells its shows to more than 240 countries worldwide, in more than 40 different languages and has operations in the UK, US, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan. In 2005, the Company joined Comcast Corporation, PBS and Sesame Workshop to launch PBS KIDS SproutSM, a 24-hour digital cable channel and VOD service for preschoolers. For more information, visit www.hitentertainment.com.

About the Science Museum

Established with the profits from The Great Exhibition of 1851 and now one of the top visitor attractions in the UK, the Science Museum houses more than 12,000 objects and provides a fascinating insight into the worlds of science, technology and industry. The past, present and future of human scientific ingenuity are explored – you can see, touch and experience the major scientific advances of the last 300 years, from original working steam engines to the actual Apollo 10 command module, all in a building ¼ mile long. With an IMAX cinema, simulator rides and hands-on children’s galleries, the museum provides a fascinating day out for all ages.