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more suitable. The new standard will take this into consideration and
it was hoped that a wider European Standard would be developed once
the BSI comes into force. Even though we are now post-Brexit Peter
Bennett does not consider the overall goal to have changed: “There is no
reason why Britain’s exit from the EU will have any effect on ladder safety
and ladder design. The UK has always taken a lead in the development of
safe product standards, including those for ladders, and that will
undoubtedly continue, no matter what forum standards development uses
in the future, said Peter.
The new standard will impact the whole industry, from ladder
manufacturers including WernerCo, to health and safety professionals,
product testing organisations, training bodies, trading standards officers
and health and safety regulators. And the recent growth in the house
building market (up by 23% from November 2014-November 2015),
coupled with the continued strength in the roof tile market, means that
the introduction of roof ladder legislation will be a timely one for the
construction industry. This should ensure that roofing professionals are
equipped with a product that best suits the demands of the job. In
addition, the introduction of safer ladders will go a long way to help
reverse the worrying statistics surrounding work at height fatalities.
HAE’s Graham Arundell added: “From our perspective, any future
development that improves safety at work, helps raise industry standards
and benefits the work of our members will be a good move for the
industry. Having a British Standard in place should also help reduce the
risk of poor quality product entering the market.”
t
WernerCo is a privately owned, fully-integrated, international
manufacturer and distributor of climbing products, fall protection
equipment, material handling and jobsite, truck and van storage
equipment. For more information, visit www.wernerworldwide.com.
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