Businesses, exchange your unsafe ladders!
Published Thursday 14th October 10
Businesses in Pendle that use ladders are being urging to check their safety – and are being given the opportunity to part-exchange them for brand new ones.
Pendle Council's Environmental Health Officers are joining with the Health and Safety Executive to promote 2010's ladder exchange initiative.
The scheme, which runs up to 30th November 2010, allows businesses to part-exchange defective ladders at partners' outlets - including some ladder suppliers in Pendle.
As part of the awareness programme, Council officers will be encouraging local businesses to carry out safety checks on ladders and replace any found to be defective.
Philip Mousdale, Executive Director (Citizen and Community Services), said:
"Falls from height are a significant cause of workplace injuries and fatalities.
"This is a really good opportunity to support local businesses and help them in keeping their workforce safe.
"Since the launch of the ladder exchange scheme in 2007, nearly 7,000 ladders have been removed from use across the country.
"This is really good news for everyone that may be directly or indirectly affected by an accident at work."
Councillor Chris Tennant, the Council's Executive Member responsible for Environmental Health, said:
"Injuries at work happen far too often and have a big impact, both on the workers involved and on their employers' businesses.
"We are keen to promote this scheme with local firms and suppliers to improve health and safety in Pendle workplaces."
Further information on the Ladder Exchange Initiative and a list of partners is available online at www.hse.gov.uk/falls/ladderexchange.htm.
For more information, contact the Council's Environmental Health service on (01282) 661199.
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