The Ladder Association, a United Kingdom equipment body, has revealed the results of its annual search for unsafe ladder practices with jaw-dropping pictures sent in by the public.

Once again, the association has revealed just how many risks people are willing to take when working at height, with its annual “Idiots on Ladders” campaign.

Michael Fern, Ladder Association communications and social media officer, said, “This year the public sent in more pictures of people working dangerously at height than ever before, and some of the pictures were among the most unbelievable we have seen.

“Along with the winner, one of the runners up also showed a ladder being used from inside an excavator, hinting at how worryingly common even ideas as ridiculous as these can be. Idiots on Ladders is a great reminder of the importance of training. Its message is clear — if you are using a ladder you must make sure that you are competent, otherwise you really are taking your life in your hands.”

Every year, the Idiots on Ladders contest is run online as part of the Ladder Exchange. Idiots on Ladders shows the importance of training and competence, while the Ladder Exchange itself helps people ensure they are using safe equipment by allowing people and businesses to trade in ladders — regardless of their condition — for new ones at a discount.

The Ladder Association is already planning for the 2015 Ladder Exchange, which will take place in the fall. All of the tips and guidance produced for the 2014 Exchange are still available on the association’s website (www.ladderexchange.org.uk).

The full Idiots on Ladders picture galleries from the past three years can be found on the Ladder Association Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ladderassociation).

Content for the European Spotlight is provided courtesy of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Magazine, London. For more information, visit www.racplus.com.

Publication date: 2/16/2015

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