South Ayrshire Council News

South Ayrshire Council is supporting the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) 2008 Ladder Exchange, in conjunction with the Ladder Association. Environmental Health Officers are working hard to get the message to the public that ladders need to be checked regularly.

Falls from height continue to be the main cause of death in the workplace and one of the main causes of serious injury. During 2006/07 7 people died and over 1,000 people were injured as a result of a fall from a ladder.

The Ladder Exchange will take place during September and aims to increase the awareness of the importance of using the right ladder for the job. If you do not have the right style of ladder, or the one you have is broken or bent you need to replace it.

Taking part in the Ladder Exchange is a quick and simple way to give anyone who intends to use a ladder peace of mind. Simply go along and get your ladder checked to make sure that it is safe from defects and that it is suitable for the job you intend to use it for. This will mean that you can use your ladder with peace of mind that it is fit for purpose.

Councillor Peter Convery, the Council's Portfolio Carrier for Sustainability and the Environment said: "Around a third of accidents were people fall from a height are a director result of someone falling from a ladder. The Council is supporting the Health and Safety Executive by spreading the message that 'if it's right to use a ladder then use the right ladder and use it safely'.

"This campaign is a great opportunity for employers to exchange any substandard ladders that they may have for a new one, and they will receive it at a discounted price from participating companies. One person injured is one too many, so if you use a ladder in your day to day work, please make sure your employees know how to use it correctly and go and get the ladder checked, it could save someones life."

The following South Ayrshire companies have agreed to exchange ladders and give a discount of up to 50% on new ones during the month of September:

Speedy Hire, 9-13 Peebles Street, Ayr, KA8 8DP, telephone number
01292 610666 www.speedyhire.co.uk

HSS Hire Shops Tool and Equipment Hire, 2 Elmbank Street, Ayr, KA8 8DH, telephone number 01292 880868 www.hss.com/ladderexchange

In addition Ladderstore.com, SGB Services PLC, Glasgow are also taking part.

Further information can be obtained about the Ladder Exchange from the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/falls/ladderexchange.htm