12.08.2009

The UK's Ladder Exchange 2009

This year’s Ladder Exchange in the UK, will run from 1st September until 31st December 2009.

The Ladder Exchange Initiative - promoted by the Health & Saftey Executive - aims to remove defective ladders from circulation by offering to part exchange it for a new ladder at a discounted, rate of up to 50 percent.

It also provides users with an opportunity to review pre-use checks, training, supervision and other arrangements for ladder work.

Over the last two years the HSE has worked collaboratively with Local Authorities, and several partner outlets, to remove over 5,500 ‘dodgy’ ladders from the workplace. As a result of these successes, the HSE says the Ladder Exchange will now be an annual initiative.

During 2007/8, 58 workers died and 3623 suffered a serious injury as a result of a fall from height. Ladders remain the most common source of these injuries, accounting for about a third of all reported falls from height incidents.

A number of key partners have already made a firm commitment to work in partnership with HSE this year.

Partners include:
•ABRU
•Clow Group
•HSS
•Ladderstore.com
•Ladder & Fencing Industries
•SGB
•Speedy Hire
•TB Davies
•The Ladder Association
•Youngman
•Zarges


More information can be obtained on the HSE website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/ladderexchange.htm?ebul=slips/aug09&cr=2