Bolton-based FMB Associate member, Ladderstore is supporting a national initiative that over the past four years has seen thousands of broken, bent and damaged ladders exchanged for new ones. The 2011 Ladder Exchange which started in September aims to reduce death and injury and is supported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Falls from height continue to be the main cause of fatalities at work. Since 2005/6 there have been six fatalities to workers and 746 major injuries in the North West area involving a ladder, this last figure being the highest for any region. In 2009/10 alone; 55 serious injuries were in Greater Manchester, 21 around Merseyside and 26 in Lancashire. Nationally, in 2009/10, ladders were involved in more than 10 percent of all falls from height.
With these statistics in mind, this year Ladderstore has increased its offer to encourage more local businesses to take ladder inspections seriously. Gail Hounslea, Managing Director of Ladderstore.com said: “We have special offers for local businesses including discounts on new ladders, on training and on our ladder tagging system Ladder Log. People could be gambling with their lives by using a dodgy ladder, already too many people suffer lifechanging injuries or die each year because they are using a faulty ladder, we really want to change this.”
The initiative runs until 30th November 2011. Local businesses can contact Ladderstore direct on 01204 590232 or visit the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/falls/ladderexchange.htm and select the link to www.ladderstore.com
