23/01/2008 - News In Brief
Over 4,000 'dodgy ladders' removed
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has revealed that a campaign it ran last year led to over 4,000 "dodgy ladders" being taken out of workplaces across the UK.
The HSE said that of the 3,409 serious injuries from falls from height in 2006/07, around a third resulted from falls from ladders.
Their 'ladder exchange' initiative, which ran from June last year aimed to remove 4,000 ladders from workplaces with the help of local authorities, hirers and ladder retailers - they achieved 4,194.
The scheme was deemed to be so successful that a new ladder exchange will operate from this autumn.
"We have a simple message to ladder users. If it is right to use a ladder, use the right ladder, use it safely. If it's not the right ladder, exchange it," said an HSE spokesperson.