Robinson-Solutions Professional Window Cleaning: idiots on ladders

Thursday, 29 August 2013

Idiots On Ladders

Idiots on Ladders: After the huge success of last year’s contest to find the biggest idiot on a ladder – which saw thousands of people tuning into the Ladder Association’s Facebook page every week to view, vote and send in pictures of the most stupid ladder use they could find – Idiots on Ladders is back for 2013. When it comes to working at height, just as important as getting the right equipment is knowing how to use it.

The Ladder Exchange means nothing if people take their new ladders home and start balancing on them on one leg, so Idiots on Ladders is on a mission to shame the worst. Taken or found a picture of ridiculously unsafe ladder use? Just either post it on the Facebook page, send it to us on Twitter, or email michael.fern@ladderassociation.org.uk with the picture attached. The voting works just like last year – the number of ‘Likes’ each picture gets on Facebook is tallied up and the winner is announced at the end of the Ladder Exchange.

It’s estimated that over two million ladders are in daily use in the UK, and with falls from height still one of the main causes of death and injury in the workplace, it’s vital that these ladders and stepladders are regularly inspected and safe to use. The annual Ladder Exchange, now run and managed by the Ladder Association, is your opportunity to exchange any dodgy, bent and broken ladders for safe, brand new ones. Simply take your old ladders to a participating partner near you and swap them at a discount. You get a new ladder at a concessionary price and everyone stays safe. And this year you’ve got an extra month to do it in!

Now extended to 31st December 2013! It’s estimated that over two million ladders are in daily use in the UK, and with falls from height still one of the main causes of death and injury in the workplace, it’s vital that these ladders and stepladders are regularly inspected and safe to use. The annual Ladder Exchange, now run and managed by the Ladder Association, is your opportunity to exchange any dodgy, bent and broken ladders for safe, brand new ones. Simply take your old ladders to a participating partner near you and swap them at a discount. You get a new ladder at a concessionary price and everyone stays safe. And this year you’ve got an extra month to do it in!

Click to enlarge.

Is My Ladder Dodgy? It might not always be easy to tell if your ladder is in a fit state to work with, and a ladder that worked fine before could become unsafe the next time it’s used. With that in mind, here’s a checklist approved by the Health & Safety Executive that should be carried out by the user at the beginning of the working day and after a change (like dropping the ladder or moving it from a dirty to a clean area). If you are still unsure on whether your ladder is fit for use simply take it to one of the Ladder Exchange trade-in partners and they will check it over for you.

Monday, 5 November 2012

Idiots On Ladders

Ladder Association stresses the importance of safe equipment following Birmingham prosecution.

Idiots on Ladders: , a new Facebook campaign from the Ladder Association. At the Ladder Association, we say that the right ladders used in the right way are invaluable and safe workplace tools. The importance of making sure ladder users are well trained, and using the proper equipment for the job, becomes obvious when compared to the crazy and dangerous situations some people put themselves in. So we are launching a campaign to find the worst uses of ladders out there. If you find a picture or a video showing off some ladder lunacy, or snap a picture of some mad ladder use when you're out and about, then send it over to the Ladder Association. (You might also want to explain to the Ladder user in question that he is working unsafely!)

Competition: By drawing attention to bad and unsafe practice on ladders we hope to shame people into working safely. As well as finding pictures and videos yourself, by asking your followers on your own Facebook and Twitter pages to send in dangerous ladder pictures/videos, you will be able to take a more direct part and help get even more people engaged in the contest. For our part, we will put all the pictures and videos we receive on an album on our Facebook page and, through the number of "Likes" each gets, find out which of them is the biggest idiot on a ladder. To take part, just send a picture or a link of a picture or a video via the following methods: Tweet us on @Ladder_Tweet, or post it to our Facebook page. Alternatively, email your picture to michael.fern@ladderassociation.org.uk (please don't email any videos). Then get your own followers doing the same thing on your own Facebook /Twitter pages, and let's find the best (or worst) idiot on a ladder! The winner will be announced on Monday December 3rd 2012.

Ladder Exchange 1 September - 30 November 2012: Trade in your old or dodgy ladders and get a brand new shiny safe ladder in return!!! The Ladder Exchange is a great example of how everyone in the health and safety system can share responsibility and work together towards a common goal; namely, reducing falls from height.

10,000 Ladders and Rising !!! With immediate effect, the Ladder Association has assumed responsibility for delivering the annual Ladder Exchange. Since its launch, the initiative has been responsible for removing over 10,000 broken, bent or damaged ladders from the workplace with the message 'Don't let a dodgy ladder shatter your life'. Now in its sixth consecutive year, the Ladder Exchange, which begins on 1 September and runs until 30 November 2012, provides all businesses with the opportunity to exchange broken, bent or damaged ladders for safe, new ones at a discounted price. Actively supported by the Ladder Association and its members who, throughout, have made a firm commitment to work in partnership with HSE and the access industry, the Exchange has also contributed to raising awareness and understanding of how to use ladders and stepladders safely. Under the scheme, suspect ladders can be exchanged, at a discount, at participating partners.