Idiots on Ladders competition winner announced

The Ladder Association has announced the winning image in its Idiots on Ladders competition and hailed the success of its annual Ladder Exchange scheme.

The ninth Ladder Exchange programme took place 1 September to 31 December 2015. Launched by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in 2007, but now run and managed by the Ladder Association, it is an annual initiative which encourages the trade-in of broken or bent ladders to partner organisations across the UK.

Gary Chudleigh, Ladder Association marketing and communications officer, commented, “Over the years the Ladder Exchange has removed thousands of unsafe ladders from service, thus reducing the risk of an accident resulting from a worn or faulty product.”

“Equally important is the fact that buyers and users of ladders, and the people who supervise their use, are encouraged to think about height safety in general and ladder safety in particular over the period of the campaign. With falls from height still one of the biggest cause of deaths and injuries at the workplace, anything that helps to keep people safe is a good thing.”

According to the Ladder Association, the same can be said of the Idiots on Ladders competition that runs alongside the Ladder Exchange. By inviting the public to submit images of people using ladders in a risky way on social media, it aims to highlight the dangers associated with unsafe ladder use.

“This year’s winning image is a prime example of how not to use ladders.” said Mr Chudleigh. “Wrong in every detail, it simply serves to illustrate the need for proper ladder training. Gone are the days when learning on the job is acceptable. The risks are simply too great.”