Steps taken on ladder safety in Essex

Date:

1 September 2008

Release No:

COI / HSE / E96:08

Essex Local Authorities have joined forces with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to launch their ladder safety campaign at the Sealife Adventure in Southend on Sea.

Andy Griffiths an Environmental Health Officer, joined HSE Inspector Mark Jordan at the centre on Marine Parade, while David Knapp the Curator of the Sealife Adventure Centre demonstrated the correct way to use a ladder while feeding the Piranhas.

Falls from height continue to be the main causes of death in the workplace and one of the main causes of serious injury. Around a third of these injuries are the result of a fall from a ladder.  During 2006/07, seven workers died and over 1000 were injured as a result of a fall from a ladder.

Mark Jordan said: 

"We haven’t banned ladders, we just want anyone working at height to use the right ladder for the job and to use it safely.

"Venues such as the Sealife Adventure rely on ladders at feeding times, so it is good that they have considered the risks involved in ladder use, and have adopted sensible health and safety measures.

"There is still a lot of poor equipment out there and we will make sure we educate people and encourage them to get rid of poor quality ladders from workplaces.  Simple precautions such as getting rid of damaged ladders can save lives and help prevent injuries."

Andy Griffiths said:

"Falls from ladders result in considerable trauma for the people injured, their colleagues, family and friends and considerable costs to employers.

"Ladders should only be used for low-risk, short-duration work.  If a ladder is the right equipment to use, it should be in good condition, prevented from slipping and used by competent people."

David Knapp said:

"As a family attraction we take a very serious approach to working at heights. With lots of children at Piranha feeds, we have to take great care that the ladders we use are sturdy, well maintained, and meets European Trade Standards.  With a shoal of hungry piranhas able to devour a cow in minutes, we wouldn't want a piranha feeder becoming piranha fodder."

As part of the campaign, businesses in Essex are being urged to ditch their "dodgy" ladders with the aim of removing 5,000 'dodgy' ladders from workplaces across the UK.

A ladder exchange has been organised in Essex where old ladders can be traded in for a discount on a new set of ladders.  Anyone wanting to exchange their ladder can take it into the Essex branches of SGB Hire and Sale, Speedy Hire, HSS Hire or Ladderstore.com.

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

The aim of Ladder Campaign is to increase general awareness of the risks involved in ladder use and promote sensible health and safety.

For further details on the Safe use of Ladders visit:  http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/ladders.htm

For further details of the ladder exchange visit:  http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/ladderexchange.htm

Speedy Hire Stores Essex:

50% off ladders, and 35% access equipment hire:

• Dukes Park Industrial Estate, Chelmsford
• Skitts Hill, Braintree
• East Thurrock Road, Grays
• Stock Road, Southend-On-Sea
• Victoria Road, Romford
• Burnt Mills Industrial Estate, Basildon
• Whitehall Industrial Estate, Colchester
• Unit 2 River Way, Harlow
  

HSS

50% on the Sale of New Ladders:

• Coggeshall Rd, Braintree,
• Bilton Rd, Chelmsford
• Miles Gray Rd., Basildon
• Edinburgh Way, Harlow
• London Rd, Romford
• Cliffside Trade Park, Motherwell Way, West Thurrock
• Edinburgh Way, Harlow

SGB

55% off the list price of a new ladder:

• Hobbs Industrial Estate, Newchapel

Ladderstore.com

10% discount:

• http://www.ladderstore.com/hse/

Public enquiries

Contact HSE's InfoLine: 0845 3450055
Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG

Press enquiries (journalists only)

For further details please contact John Stevenson on 01223 372790.

Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News & PR.