Keeping it safe

Blatant disregard of obvious safety issues will ultimately result in (at least) a hefty fine following prosecution. This is the response from the Ladder Association following the prosecution of a builder's merchant in Birmingham for numerous work at height issues.

Health and safety officials found nine ladders in conditions which would have been lifethreatening if used. The required checks were not being carried out and users were being put at an immediate risk of serious injury. The family run builder's merchant, with 50 employees based in Birmingham, pleaded guilty and was fined £8,205 including costs for breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

'Through programmes like our current Ladder Exchange, we hope to further reduce the number of dangerous ladders in use around the country, and ensure that people never have to work with equipment in this state,' states Cameron Clow, the Ladder Association's chairman