Bob The Builder Backs HSE's Ladder Safety Campaign

UK - Bob the Builder is taking time out of his live show ‘Build it with Bob', at the Science Museum on Tuesday, July 10 to show support for the Health and Safety Executives' (HSE's) ladder safety campaign.

Every month nearly 100 people fall off a ladder at work and suffer serious injuries costing the economy £60 million each year. The HSE will promote ladder safety messages through a ‘ladder exchange' which aims to remove 4,000 ‘dodgy' ladders from workplaces in Great Britain.

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 can be avoided by using the right equipment and taking simple precautions. The HSE is working in close partnership with industry to ensure that anyone involved in working at height uses the right equipment for the job and uses it safely.

Eddie Bailey, Head of HSE's Falls from Height Team said "We are pleased to be linking up with Bob the Builder at the Science Museum as a way of promoting safe ladder practice. Our ladder exchange programme is another part of our ongoing campaign to reduce the number of fatal and major injuries each year that result from falling from a height."

When it comes to increasing ladder safety, always ask yourself three simple questions:

• Do you need a ladder or should you use something different?
• Is it the right ladder?
• Are you using the ladder safely?

For more information please visit HSE website http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/index.htm

SOURCE: HSE