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Idiots on Ladders contest reaches new heights

Now in its third year, the Idiots on Ladders contest held by the Ladder Association is currently having its most popular year ever. Part of the annual Ladder Exchange, the contest has already received more than 50 pictures highlighting the worst and most dangerous examples of ladder misuse.

Aimed at spotlighting the importance of ladder safety and training, submissions can come from anyone anywhere in the world, and after being vetted by Ladder Association experts, the worst - and often most dramatic - examples are added to the Idiots on Ladders album on the Association's Facebook page (facebook.com/ladderassociation).

The winning entry, with the most comments and likes on Facebook, will be announced in January 2015 following a public vote open until 31 December 2014.

"Thousands of people look at these horrifying images each year, and judging by the number of entries received so far, 2014 promises to bring the problem of ladder misuse into even sharper focus!" says Ladder Association communications & social media officer, Michael Fern.

"The huge response this year shows that people know how ridiculous misusing ladders can be, but it also shows the scale of the problem, with people finding unbelievable pictures all around the UK and beyond. Being safe on a ladder can be as simple as taking a one-day or less training course, but many are choosing to take their lives in their hands instead."

Idiots on Ladders is run as part of the Ladder Exchange, a campaign first launched by the Health & Safety Executive and taken over by the Ladder Association in 2012. It lets people trade in their old, 'dodgy' ladders for new ones at a discount, and over the years has been responsible for taking thousands of potentially dangerous ladders out of circulation.

Each month the Exchange focuses on a different aspect of ladder and stepladder use, and during November its site features videos and links from people who have suffered life-changing injuries as a result of a fall from height.

Ladders can be traded through the Exchange website (ladderexchange.org.uk) by contacting any of the trade-in partners participating in this year's campaign.

Despite a steady decline, falls from height remain the most common kind of workplace fatality. In 2010/11, a total of 38 workers died and 4,327 employees suffered a major injury as a result of a fall from height in the workplace, with a further 10,232 employees suffering an 'over 3 day' injury. Many of these incidents could have been avoided by people with the right training using the correct equipment that had been properly inspected and maintained.

T: 0845 260 1048
E: [email protected]
W: www.ladderassociation.org.uk

7th November 2014