DIY enthusiasts, tradesmen and gardeners in Gedling borough are being warned by Trading Standards to their check telescopic ladders as 32,000 are withdrawn from sale due to a deadly safety glitch.
Inquiries by Trading Standards East Midlands into the safety of telescopic ladders revealed major concerns and led to government-funded testing involving four local authorities within the East Midlands region.
In total 13 different telescopic ladder types have been tested by the four authorities. All failed to meet relevant parts of British Standard for ladder design, safety and structural requirements.
Almost all of the ladders were easily damaged during testing, suggesting many similar products available to consumers are not robust enough to cope with normal wear and tear.
In the worst case, a ladder snapped in half beneath the test load − despite claiming to comply with the standard.
32,000 ladders are now being recalled or withdrawn from sale as a result of investigations.
Councillor Gordon Wheeler, Vice-Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Community and Place Committee, said: “If you own a telescopic ladder we urge people to use with caution, making sure each locking mechanism is working before climbing the rungs, and avoid using if any damage is evident.
“Summer is a key time when people get their ladder out for gardening or outside house maintenance so if you have doubts about your telescopic ladder contact the supplier or check the new guidance from the UK Ladder Association, which is giving additional safety advice.”
Eleven of the 13 ladders tested were confirmed as being manufactured in China and most were bought online.
The importer of the ladder that snapped in testing was prosecuted and fined a total of £10,000 and ordered to pay £2,000 costs in November 2016 after admitting selling an unsafe product and which falsely claimed to meet the relevant standard.
Nottinghamshire residents with concerns should contact Nottinghamshire County Council’s Trading Standards team via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506.
For further guidance visit www.ladderassociation.org.uk
