Safety amnesty declared on 'dodgy' ladders

Health and safety officials are trying to recover thousands of ladders that they believe are "accidents waiting to happen".

They are launching a "dodgy" ladder amnesty in an attempt to recover at least 4,000 ladders that could be dangerous.



A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said: "It's a realistic target. Anyone can go down with their old ladder and exchange it for a new, discounted one." The HSE hopes that the scheme, called Ladder Exchange and which is primarily aimed at tradesmen, will cut the number of deaths and injuries.

The four ladder sellers taking part have agreed to offer discounts of up to 50 per cent on new and hire ladders over the next three months.

Jo Stagg, of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: This could be the first rung on the ladder to better health and safety management and it would be great if more suppliers could join in."