Wrexham County Borough Council is supporting a national initiative which has seen thousands of broken, bent and damaged ladders exchanged for new ones since 2007.
The 2010 Ladder Exchange led by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) aims to reduce death and injury.
Falls from height continue to be the main cause of fatalities at work. In 2008/09 there were 57 major injuries across Wales, involving a ladder. In 2008/09, ladders were involved in nearly a quarter of all falls from height.
Details of how to find a participating local retailer – which includes national builders’, can be found on HSE’s website, www.hse.gov.uk/falls/ladderexchange.htm
Andy Lewis Chief Housing & Public Protection Officer of Wrexham County Borough Council said:
“There is nothing wrong with using a ladder if it is in good order and right for the job. However, you could be gambling with your life by using a dodgy one, Too many people suffer life-changing injuries or die each year because they used a faulty ladder.”
“This initiative is open to anyone who wants to trade in their broken, bent or damaged ladder for a new one.”
Peter Brown HSE Head of Work Environment, Radiation and Gas Division said:
“During the next few months, businesses will again have the opportunity to get their ladders checked and, where necessary, trade them in for new ones at any of our partner outlets at a discounted price.
“Our advice to anyone working at height is use the right ladder for the job. Ladder Exchange provides an ideal opportunity for businesses to assess the risks involved in using ladders and to adopt sensible health and safety measures.”
“Meanwhile, HSE continues to work with local authorities, ladder manufacturers, retailers, employers and workers to address the safety issues around all access equipment for working at height”
Chris Ball, chairman of the Ladder Association, comments:
“Since it was first introduced, the Ladder Exchange has been an exemplary initiative that has helped contribute to ladder safety. Promising to attract even more support in 2010, the Ladder Association fully supports this practical example of successful co-operation between HSE, the ladder industry and its trade body.”
The initiative, which is open to anyone who wants to trade in their broken, bent of damaged ladder for a new one, runs in participating retailers until 30 November 2010. Full details, along with advice and guidance on using ladders safely, are available on HSE’s website: http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/ladderexchange.htm
