The Ladder Association, a not-for-profit organisation, dedicated to keep people safe when working at height, is urging ladder users and those responsible for managing, to take a fresh approach to ladder health-and-safety-training.
Get a Grip on ladder safety is a campaign that aims to put ladder health-and-safety-training at the top of the health & safety agenda. The association state that, when it’s right to use a ladder, use the right ladder and get trained to use it safely. By stepping up ladder safety through health-and-safety-training, the association aims to reinforce the message that ladders are safe, practical and versatile for low risk and short duration works at height.
Falls from height is still one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities and injuries – 35 fatalities in 2017/2018.
Businesses are facing record fines for failing to keep workers safe, this campaign tries to ensure that all persons using a ladder are fully trained and competent.
We have recently investigated an accident, where an operative fell 3 metres from a ladder connected to a scaffold board. The injured party suffered a broken arm, an impact to the head could have been far worse.
The Work at Height Regulations require that everyone is competent; successfully completing a Ladder Association health-and-safety-training course and achieving a LadderCard is a way of helping to demonstrate that competence.
The Association has created a free Ladder Safety Pack providing vital information on the recent changes to European ladder standard EN131. It details the correct way to use and inspect ladders and the route to obtaining a LadderCard through official Ladder Association health-and-safety-training.
Further information from the Ladder Association can be found here.