Speedy Hire, the U.K.’s largest equipment rental company is offering to take old or damaged ladders in a partial exchange for newer, safer equipment. The trade deal is part of a joint campaign with the Health and Safety Executive in an effort to reduce the number of accidents caused by unsafe ladders.
Speedy, which operates more than 400 branches in the U.K. and Ireland, is offering a discount of up to 50 percent on certified ladders and stepladders.
HSE’s head of work environment said 58 workers died and more than 3,600 were seriously injured as a result of a fall from height in the workplace in 2007 and 2008 and that more than a quarter of the accidents involved ladders.
More than 5,000 ladders were exchanged in previous campaigns. This year’s campaign will run from Sept. 1 through the end of the year.
