Professional and innovative scaffold, ladder and platform experts Lofts and Ladders address the dangers of inadequate equipment when working at heights

In 2012/13 almost a third of all fatal injuries to workers were caused by falls from heights, with half of these taking place in construction sites across the UK. The number of recorded deaths from platforms or ladders in construction environments was 23 out of a total of 46 incidents. Although not a significantly huge number, this number of incidents could quite easily have been different if accident avoidance measures were taken and the equipment was to a professional standard.

In several reported incidents, from statistics raised by the HSE, RoSPA and other leading health and safety bodies, particularly in and around the home; accidents involving ladders and steps have experienced a rise as more individuals take more of a direct role in more complex and hazardous DIY jobs. From falls resulting in general maintenance to home exteriors to poorly fitted loft ladders and the use of often substandard ladders and steps, there is far less control over the quality of equipment that is purchased by homeowners when undertaking tasks and jobs in the home.

Accident levels are open to experiencing significant increases when higher risk apparatus is used, such as step ladders and ladders. With cheaper equipment being purchased for those DIY jobs around the house, a recipe for disaster is imminent and together with a lack of knowledge, experience and training when working at heights, evaluating the risk factor is made much clearer.

Devon-based access and scaffold solutions expert Lofts and Ladders continually react to industry wide news, studies and reports relevant to areas within their industry. A company spokesperson believes that overall, poorly maintained equipment in the workplace and in the home or the use of the wrong equipment will only lead to accidents and until better education is expressed, numbers of incidents will continue to rise:

“Health and Safety has been the pinnacle of our aims since we first began and with the number of accidents occurring in both domestic and industrial environments due to the incorrect use of apparatus or when using inferior equipment or which is not suitable for the job is a concern for us all.

The spokesperson for Lofts and Ladders continued by saying: “We offer a great array of products together with the right advice on how to remain safe at heights, something that we feel needs to be addressed on a larger scale, bringing more awareness to workers and especially home owners could prove a success in lowering accident figures.”

Continuing to provide one of the most respected services to customers across the UK, Lofts and Ladders are well established with a history spanning several decades. Their range of access and scaffold solutions can be viewed via their website at http://loftsandladders.co.uk today.