A new initiative has been launched to reduce the number of accidents caused by unsafe ladders.

People in Barnsley can voluntarily get rid of their unsafe ladders and step ladders at the nearest Speedy Hire branch, who are offering to part-exchange them for alternative, safer equipment as part of a new initiative being supported locally by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Barnsley Council. The council's Regulatory Services department has also been inspecting ladders this month as part of their regular visits to workplaces around the borough, and can now take equipment deemed unfit for use away. The HSE are also undertaking the same checks at the workplaces that they visit.

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This is all part of a UK-wide Ladder Exchange designed to drive down the number of deaths and injuries. According to latest statistics from the HSE, falls from ladders caused 12 deaths to workers last year - over a quarter of the total number caused by falls from height. Ladders were also responsible for nearly 1200 serious injuries. These incidents are estimated to have cost the economy over £60 million last year.

Cllr Roy Miller, Cabinet Spokesperson for Customer and Neighbourhood Services, said: "We all know how dangerous ladders can be and how seriously a fall even from a short distance can affect people. What this scheme does is raise people's awareness about how to use their equipment properly and to highlight that there may be defects that make it unsafe for use. Thanks to the support of Speedy Hire locally, and other firms nationally, people can now trade in their defective equipment, receive expert advice, and make a change before it causes them a serious injury. I think this is an excellent initiative and it has the council’s full support."

(CD/JM)