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Professional builder and Big Brother star Craig Phillips says 'safety' is key when working with ladders.
The construction entrepreneur and winner of the first series of the reality show gave his support to the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) ladder safety campaign for 2009.
The campaign centres around a 'ladder exchange' which gives everyone the opportunity to get rid of old, damaged and broken ladders and trade them for new ones.
Over 5000 ladders have been exchanged under this scheme since it first launched in 2007.
Craig, who currently appears on ITV1's 60 Minute Makeover, is well aware health and safety at every level is important,. He said: "To be a winner in the construction industry you have to take health and safety seriously.
"If you take a chance with dodgy ladders you are risking your life. Every month over 100 people fall off a ladder at work and suffer serious injuries. So many of these accidents are avoidable and having safe equipment makes a huge difference. That's why I think the ladder exchange is such a great idea."
In 2007/08 a total of 58 workers died and over 3600 employees suffered major injury as a result of a fall from height in the workplace. Many of these incidents could be avoided by using the right equipment and taking simple precautions. 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.
(CD/KMcA)
