HSE publishes ladder stability report

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) last week published extensive research on ladder stability devices in a bid to educate designers, manufacturers, employers and workers in how to prevent falls from height.

Undertaken for HSE by Loughborough University, the research was heralded as a "great step up" by Falls from Height programme manager, Bill Gillan.

"Falls from height killed 49 workers last year, including 11 who fell from moveable ladders," says Gillan. "HSE figures show that such falls also led to some 4,000 major injuries, of which about a third were the result of falls from moveable ladders."

Gillan said the independently reviewed research would help guide proposals for the new Work at Height Regulations (on which the HSE is currently consulting draft proposals) and that the findings would be discussed with relevant industry associations at the earliest opportunity.

The comprehensive document – some 290 pages – can be viewed and downloaded at http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr205.htm.

Those needing further details or wishing to get involved with the Work at Height consultation should see: www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/cd192.htm.