Islington Council launched a workplace ladder safety campaign this summer to help ensure more companies use ladders safely and is urging businesses to exchange unsuitable and damaged ladders for a new one. <br><br>A total of 107 small and medium-sized enterprises, retail businesses, in a small geographical area in the borough were inspected during a two-week period, running from the 25 June - 6 July 2007. <br><br>The Council's campaign supports the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) Ladder exchange Initiative 2007, in which inspections have been carried out and a simple business message shared: "If it is right to use a ladder then use the right ladder and use it safely". <br><br>Commenting on Islington's ladder exchange initiative at a launch event jointly organised by HSS Hire and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Head of Public Protection at Islington Council Jan Hart said: "We were keen to work in partnership with the HSE and participating companies, on this ladder campaign. <br><br>"We want to reduce the number of serious and fatal injuries in the workplace caused by not using the right ladder in a safe way or by using a damaged ladder". <br><br>At the end of May 2007, the target businesses received a hand delivered information pack which contained material to help them prepare for the forthcoming inspection. <br><br>Through the council's Business Partnership links, a further 400 businesses outside the target inspection area were also sent information on the ladder safety campaign and exchange initiative. <br><br>Cllr Marisha Ray, Executive Member for Community Safety and Performance, Islington Council said: "Islington Council is always seeking to improve the health and safety of all who live and work in the borough.<br><br>"Part of this is getting businesses to think about how they can reduce accidents caused by carelessness and faulty equipment.<br><br>"Working with the HSE on the ladder safety project, we've been able to reach dozens of businesses and hopefully prevent many ladder accidents."<br> <br>A sample of a ladder maintenance log was designed as well as a self-audit checklist to enable the businesses to consider the criteria essential for safe ladder use. It was hoped that prior to the inspection the businesses would have had an opportunity to look at the guide to safe ladder and stepladder use. A specially designed flier in the information pack encouraged businesses to think about good practices such as:<br><br>* decide if using a ladder is the safest way of doing a specific job <br>* check ladders for defects such as damaged rungs, stiles, missing rubber feet, loose fixings<br>* check ladders regularly and keep a record of this<br>* provide staff with guidelines on how to use ladders safely and make sure they are followed <br>* check floor surface is level firm and clean<br>* get rid of damaged ladders<br><br>In Islington the two national companies, HSS Hire Group and Speedy Hire, have a local store that is participating in the ladder exchange scheme and one local family business, Chris Stevens Ltd. Substantial discounts are being offered to businesses that bring in an old damaged ladder and exchange for a new one. One local store has indicated that during the campaign period there has been a 60 per cent increase in ladder sales. The exchange scheme has proved a success in the local area.<br><br>The inspections resulted in 36 damaged ladders being taken out of use, the majority being stepladders with missing rubber feet, loose fittings and cracked and damaged steps. The main areas of concern proved to be inadequate training, with 66 per cent of the businesses failing to provide staff with any form of instruction and guidance on safe ladder use, and 85 per cent of the businesses were not carrying out any regular maintenance checks. Other issues concerned the suitability of the ladders being used, with 48 per cent of businesses using stepladders, which were not high enough for the work task and/or were of a domestic class. Where a domestic class ladder was being used, businesses were encouraged to exchange for a class 1 industrial or light industrial class. Officers are following up on the initial inspections, by revisiting over half of the businesses to ensure that they have put the simple measures in place to improve ladder safety in the workplace.<br> <br>Anyone wanting information on the campaign in Islington can download information at www.islington.gov.uk/ladders. Alternatively, email: commercial.envh@islington.gov.uk or telephone 020 7527 3816. <br><br>Press enquiries only to Charles Dean, Senior Media Officer, Islington Council 020 7527 3224. <br><br>Ends
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009