June 8, 2007—The Health and Safety Executive in the UK has begun a program called Ladder Exchange, aimed at ladder users and those who manage the work.
HSE and partners, including local authorities, ladder manufacturers and hire companies, are planning a series of events in the summer aimed at ladder users in building and plant maintenance.
The goal is to get out sensible messages about using a ladder safely. Falls from height continue to be the main cause of workplace fatality and one of the main causes of serious injury, says HSE. Over a third of falls injuries are the result of a fall from a ladder.
HSE knows from its inspectors that many of the ladders being used in the workplace are not up to scratch. It aims to take 4,000 of these ladders out of the workplace.
HSE and Local Authority inspectors will also be looking at safe ladder use in June and July 2007. Officials have a simple message for ladder users. If it is right to use a ladder, use the right ladder, use it safely. If its not the right ladder, exchange it.
For more information, see the HSE Web site.
