Campaign puts north west aerial fitters in the picture over safety

Date:

14 September 2009

Release No:

E079:09

Aerial fitters and satellite installers preparing for the North West's big digital switchover this autumn were today warned not to 'switch off to safety'.

Hundreds of homes in the region could need new aerials or satellite dishes fitted over the next three months to get ready to receive digital TV signals.

Inspectors from the region's local authorities and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will be carrying out spot checks on installers to ensure that the work is done safely and using the correct equipment.

Inspectors will also be visiting both television retailers who provide or advise on installation work to ensure they are aware of their legal responsibilities.

In the past five years, in the North West alone, there have been 49 deaths and more than 5000 serious injuries involving work being carried out at height. Two of these deaths were while fitting aerials and satellite dishes.

John Pride, HSE's partnership manager for the North West, said:

"It is essential that aerial fitters and satellite dish installers are totally switched on to safety during this busy digital switch over period.

Installers must use the correct equipment for the job - such as harnesses and properly secured ladders.

Working at height is very dangerous and companies must ensure all work is properly planned and organised, carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments, and ensure that safe systems of work are in place "

The giant transmitter on Winter Hill near Bolton will be switched off on 4 November - cutting analogue TV signals to three million homes in the Granada TV region.

A multi-million pound advertising campaign has been running to make North West householders aware that without fitting digital receivers - and in some cases new aerials - they will lose TV reception.

Working at height is the biggest cause of fatal accidents in Great Britain. In 2007/08 a total of 58 workers died and a further 7593 employees suffered major injuries as a result of a fall from height in the workplace. Many of these incidents could be avoided by using the right equipment and taking simple precautions.

Aerial fitters will be able to take advantage of a ladder exchange programme organised by HSE and a partnership of hire firms. It allows anyone to take old or damaged ladders along to participating stores and swap them for a new set at a heavily discounted price.

The four month exchange is running from 1 September. For more information visit: www.hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives

Notes to editors

1. There is a registered licensing body for aerial and satellite dish installers: Registered Digital Installer-Licensing Body (RDI-LB) www.rdi-lb.tv/
2. The trade association for aerial and satellite dish installers is Confederation of Aerial Industries (CAI) www.cai.org.uk
3. Only a limited number of television aerials will need to be changed as part of the digital switchover. For more information go to: digitaluk.co.uk or call 08456 505 050
4. The Ladder Exchange is running in partnership with HSS Hire, Speedy Hire, Ladderstore.com, Zarges UK, SGB, The Ladder Association, Clow Group Ltd, ABRU, Youngman Group, Ladder and fencing industries (Newent) Ltd, TB Davies
5. Further information about preventing falls from height can be found at: www.hse.gov.uk/falls

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