AVDC ladder safety initiative

Council backs ladder safety campaign

Aylesbury Vale District Council is backing a national campaign which gives companies the opportunity to part-exchange broken, damaged or bent ladders for new ones.

The council is working in partnership with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to highlight the potential dangers of using a substandard ladder.
Falls from height continue to be the main cause of death in the workplace and one of the main causes of serious injury. Around a third are as a result of a fall from a ladder with the main causes being ladders breaking, the user slipping from the ladder or the ladder wobbling.

A ladder exchange has been organised in Buckinghamshire where old ladders can be traded in for a discount on a new set of ladders. Any business wanting to exchange their ladder can take it into the local branches of HSS Hire and Speedy Hire.

The initiative runs from 1 September until the end of December. There are some other companies participating and their details can be found at www.hse.gov.uk

Councillor Sir Beville Stanier, Cabinet Member for Environment and Health at AVDC, said: “All too often, ladder safety is taken for granted and that’s when accidents happen. Our message is that by taking simple precautions, accidents with ladders can be avoided.
“I would urge any local businesses to take advantage of this ladder exchange and make sure the equipment they use is safe, after all someone’s life could depend on it.”
For health and safety at work advice contact the environmental health team on 01296 585065 or email envhealth@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk