Bluebell Railway and HSE team up to celebrate success of 'dodgy ladders' campaign
A great draw for tourists worldwide, the Bluebell Railway provided an impressive backdrop to a recent photo call with HM Health & Safety Inspector, Caroline Skinner to highlight the importance of safety when working at height.
The HSE has been running a 'ladder exchange' campaign aimed at removing 4,000 'dodgy ladders' from workplaces across the UK.
For over two months now, businesses have had the chance to get their ladders checked and, where necessary, trade them in for new ones at a discounted price. They have also been given information about safer ladder use and alternative access equipment.
Every month 100 people fall off a ladder at work, suffering serious injury and costing the economy £60 million annually. Last year South East had the highest number of major injuries caused by falls in the workplace for the whole of the UK. In 2005/06 in the South East a total of 185 workers had an injury falling from ladders in the workplace, with one fatal.
HSE and Local Authority inspectors have been carrying out a series of inspections during the summer to ensure that ladders being used by companies are in good condition.
They have been looking for:
* Bent, broken or missing rungs
* Rot or rust
* Loose rivets
* Split or bent styles
* Paint or chemical splashes
* Missing or damaged feet
* Damaged or missing extension bars
Speaking after the shoot, Caroline Skinner said:
"It was great to come down to Bluebell Railway today to see these impressive vintage engines in action.
"It is a myth that the HSE are banning ladders from the workplace. But we do want to highlight the importance of safety. Working at height is one of the biggest killers in the workplace.
"In 2005/06, a total of 46 workers died and a further 3,351 employees suffered major injury as a result of a fall from height in the workplace. Many of these incidents could have been avoided by using the right equipment and by taking simple precautions.
"What we are saying is, if it's right to use a ladder, use the right ladder and use it safely. Think about the right equipment for the right job wherever you are."
When it comes to increasing ladder safety, companies should ask themselves three simple questions:
* Do you need a ladder or should you be using something different?
* Is it the right ladder?
* Are you using the ladder safely? "
Picture caption: Bluebell member of staff Ian, on ladder cleaning engine with HM HSE Inspector looking on
27th September 2007