Would you use a ladder like this?

Date:

8 December 2009

Release No:

113/2009

Ladder with bent rung

Ladder with bent support

Bent ladder

Missing rungs and bent sides - these are just a small selection of the 'dodgy' ladders that have been surrendered so far under this year's 'ladder exchange'.

The exchange, led by the Health and Safety Executive, closes its doors on 31 December, so time is running out for businesses to trade in their old, damaged or broken ladders for some new ones

Run in conjunction with retailers, manufacturers and trade associations, the scheme offers businesses the chance to get their ladders checked and, where necessary, exchange them for new ones at a heavily discounted price.

In 2008/09 a total of 35 workers died and over 4500 employees suffered major injury 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.

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.

Peter Brown, HSE said:"We've had more than 900 ladders exchanged so far and we're keen for more businesses to make the most of the offer before the end of the month. If you take a chance with 'dodgy' ladders you are risking your life.

"Every month more than 100 people fall off a ladder at work and suffer serious injuries. So many of these accidents are avoidable and having safe equipment makes a huge difference."

When it comes to 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?

The exchange discount can be up to 50 per cent off and ladders can be exchanged at any of the partner retail outlets.

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

The ladder exchange programme is one part of HSE's ongoing 'Shattered Lives' campaign which aims to reduce the number of fatal and major injuries each year that result from falling from a height.

Notes to editors

1. Ladder Exchange partners are as follows: ABRU, A plant, Clow Group, Globe Ladders Ltd, HSS Hire, The Ladder Association, LadderStore.com, Ladder & Fencing Industries (Newent) Ltd, Langford Access, SGB, Slingsby, Speedy Hire, TB Davies, Youngman Group, Zarges
2. Over two million people work on ladders daily in the UK.
3. The aim of Ladder Exchange is to increase general awareness of the risks involved in ladder use and promote sensible health and safety.
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. Individual photographs of the ladders featured at the top are available on request.
7. HSE has published a brief guide to the Work at Height Regulations 2005 at www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg401.htm
8. HSE has published the following guidance specifically for employers and workers who use ladders: Safe use of ladder and stepladders - an employers guide at www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg402.pdf

Press enquiries

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