Friday 20 February 2004 - News - Health and safety
Safer use of ladders at work
A new research report
examining the safe use of ladders has been published today.
The research, carried out by Loughborough University's Applied Ergonomics and Safety Research Institute on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), examines ways of reducing the number of ladder-related injuries in UK workplaces.
Bill Gillan, who manages the HSE's 'priority programme' on falls from height, said: "Falls from height, and I emphasise any height, killed 49 workers last year, including 11 who fell from moveable ladders. HSE figures show that such falls also led to some 4,000 major injuries, of which about a third were the result of falls from moveable ladders.
"There will always be circumstances when using a ladder is the best means of working at height. HSE wants to ensure the safety of those who choose to work this way.
"This research, which has been reviewed by independent experts, has come just in time to help us and industry with our thinking on proposals for new Work at Height Regulations and supporting guidance. We plan to discuss these findings with the main industry associations as soon as possible."
In December 2003 the Health and Safety Commission launched a consultation exercise concerning proposed new work at height regulations. The consultation period will run until 2 April 2004. It is expected that final proposals will be put to ministers by late 2004.
Johnny Thomson
The research, carried out by Loughborough University's Applied Ergonomics and Safety Research Institute on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), examines ways of reducing the number of ladder-related injuries in UK workplaces.
Bill Gillan, who manages the HSE's 'priority programme' on falls from height, said: "Falls from height, and I emphasise any height, killed 49 workers last year, including 11 who fell from moveable ladders. HSE figures show that such falls also led to some 4,000 major injuries, of which about a third were the result of falls from moveable ladders.
"There will always be circumstances when using a ladder is the best means of working at height. HSE wants to ensure the safety of those who choose to work this way.
"This research, which has been reviewed by independent experts, has come just in time to help us and industry with our thinking on proposals for new Work at Height Regulations and supporting guidance. We plan to discuss these findings with the main industry associations as soon as possible."
In December 2003 the Health and Safety Commission launched a consultation exercise concerning proposed new work at height regulations. The consultation period will run until 2 April 2004. It is expected that final proposals will be put to ministers by late 2004.
Johnny Thomson
