After nearly a decade of annual ladder exchange events The Ladder Association had yet another successful campaign, a three-month event which saw all types of ladder being returned and exchanged for brand new, much safer models.   Chairman Martin Brooke was delighted with the response throughout the last months of 2016, citing the scheme as “a great example of how everyone can work together – regulator, trade body, its member organisations, industry and the public at large – to help keep people safe.”  The public at large is responsible for most of the entries into the Ladder Losers competition (formerly Idiots on Ladders) and this year one of the very early submissions turned out to be the winner, as we predicted on this very blog.  Yes indeed, the man trimming a tree using two ladders and a mechanical digger in one of the most precarious set ups imaginable was crowned Ladder Loser of 2016.

The Ladder Exchange, in the words of Mr Brooke, aims to draw attention to “an indispensable piece of workplace equipment that is… often overlooked when it comes to routine inspection and maintenance.”  He is also quoted as saying, “it prompts ladder users to check… for damage and wear and tear… removes [faulty ladders] permanently from the workplace, and reduces the risk of someone falling from a ladder because it’s unsafe and potentially dangerous.”

There is plenty of time to start collecting photographs of terrible examples of ladder use for the Ladder Losers competition, as the next Ladder Exchange will commence in October 2017.  Don’t forget to also submit really great examples of proper ladder use for Ladder Heroes; perhaps someone you work with is extra safety conscious and could set a good example for some of the past “winners” of the Ladder Losers contest.