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The Ladder Association has strongly endorsed the warnings made about fake ladders broadcast in a recent episode of the BBC’s Fake Britain, which examines the problem of counterfeit products in the UK. The programme – first broadcast on 3 December – showed how even large, reputable wholesalers and suppliers can be duped into believing that the ladders and stepladders they are ... more
TrustMark, the Government-endorsed scheme which enables members of the public to find trusted tradespeople, has announced the results of another bumper year for their service. More than 8.1 million search results were provided to homeowners who used TrustMark’s website (www.trustmark.org.uk) and telephone helpline to find local firms and expert tradespeople to carry out their home imp ... more
While, as we know only too well in the UK, you can’t predict the weather, you can take measures to ensure you’re prepared for all eventualities. Nowhere is this more important than in the construction sector, where high wind speeds can render access equipment in particular unsafe. Our poster urges customers to always ensure they’re aware of the maximum wind speeds for the piece ... more
An East Anglian Scaffolding company was fined after a worker suffered severe injuries after he fell five metres from a scaffold. Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard how 39-year-old Mr Hemphill fell from the second lift of a scaffold as it was being dismantled. Before striking the ground, Mr Hemphill collided with the scaffolding twice before finally hitting the ground below. He sustai ... more
Three companies have been fined a total of £90,000 after a worker was seriously injured when he fell nearly six metres from a platform with unguarded rails in an incident in March 2013. Southwark Crown Court heard that the accident occurred as two workers accessed the top level of a unit which was to be dismantled as part of construction work at a site in Westferry Road, London. ... more
The company director of a sash restoration company has been fined for safety failings after a worker fell three metres through an unprotected skylight. Salisbury Magistrates’ Court heard how on the in July 2014, an employee of the Sash Restoration Company (Dorset) Limited fell through an unprotected skylight while replacing sash windows on a large manor house, breaking his wrist when land ... more
IPAF’s stand at bauma 2016, taking place in Munich, Germany, during April, will highlight the safe loading and unloading of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) as an essential part of site operations. Visitors to the stand, N1115, in the outdoor area, will benefit from demonstrations on how to load and unload MEWPs safely, good practice information and findings from IPAF’s acciden ... more
Thurrock Council appoints developer for £800m Purfleet regeneration At its heart of the new town centre will be a film, television and media village. It will be the largest facility of its kind in Europe, covering 600,000 square feet, and the first purpose-built studio complex in the UK in 50 years. Employing around 2,000 people, the studios will host some of the largest production compani ... more
First doctors, now construction workers. The government is proposing to make roadworks crews work seven days a week to reduce traffic disruption. The Department of Transport wants to fine councils and utility companies up to £5,000 a day if roadworks are left in place over a weekend on local A roads with no one actually working on them. Similar charges could also be levied on those who l ... more
The biggest idiot on a ladder Every year the Ladder Association runs a photo competition to find a photo of the biggest idiot on a ladder, and here is the 2015 winner. The Idiots on Ladders competition is used to help promote its annual Ladder Exchange campaign, where old ladders can be traded in for new ones at participating outlets. The aim is to get ladders that are damaged or have broken run ... more
