Aug 6 2007
HSE today reminded Scottish businesses - no matter where your ladder is being used - in a museum or on a building site, make sure it is up to the job and safe to use.
Staff at Glasgow's Kelvingrove Museum - one of Scotland's most popular tourist attractions - use specialist equipment to clean and maintain their larger exhibits. However, well-maintained ladders are still used where appropriate to help staff keep the Museum spick and span for their visitors.
Between 2001 and 2005, seven workers were killed and 1,074 were injured after falling from ladders in Scotland. Nationally, ladder falls are estimated to cost the economy £60 million every year. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is promoting ladder safety messages through a 'Ladder Exchange' which aims to remove 'dodgy' ladders from workplaces in Scotland.
Percy Smith, HSE Principal Inspector said: "We want anyone working at height to use the right ladder for the job and to use it safely. Ladder Exchange is the opportunity for small trade businesses wherever they are to assess the risks involved in ladder use and adopt sensible health and safety measures.
"There is still a lot of poor standard equipment out there and we will do everything it takes to educate people and get rid of poor quality ladders from workplaces. Simple precautions can save lives and help prevent unforeseen incidents."
For the next few months, businesses will get the chance to get their ladders checked and where necessary, trade them in for new ones at a discounted price. HSE is working closely with Local Authorities, ladder manufacturers and retailers to address the safety issues around access equipment with employers and ladder users.
When it comes to increasing 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?