Between 2001 and 2005, three North East workers were killed and 463 were injured after falling from ladders.
The blitz will take place on Teesside and on Wearside during July as part of a two month "Ladder Exchange" programme which is aiming to take 4,000 dodgy ladders out of the workplace around the country.
HSE Inspector Michael Bone said:
"The Health and Safety Executive is not against using ladders, provided they are the right ladder for the job in hand. During our visit to the industrial estates on Teesside and Wearside, we'll be offering advice on the right kind of equipment for the type of work people are doing.
"If we come across any equipment that is clearly old and unsafe and could lead to accidents, we will ask for it to be destroyed and will offer advise on modern, safer equipment and alternatives that enable people to work at height safely."
On Tuesday and Wednesday HSE inspectors and Environmental Health Officers from Middlesbrough and Sunderland councils will be out in force visiting industrial estates to talk to managers and workers and telling them about the opportunity to get a 50% discount on the cost of replacing or hiring new ladders or other access equipment.
HSE Inspector Michael Bone added:
"When we're out talking to people, we'll be encouraging them to ask themselves the following basic safety questions about the ladders they are using:
- Do you need a ladder or should you use something different?
- Is it the right ladder?
- Are you using the ladder safely?
"If the answer to any of those questions is "No" we'll be offering them advice and support on the most appropriate type of equipment to use."
During the "ladder exchange" programme, which runs until the end of August, HSS Speedy Hire, SGB Tasker Master and Ladderstore.com are all offering up to 50% discount on the cost of purchasing a new ladder, and a 50% discount on hiring a ladder or access equipment when a "dodgy" old ladder is traded in for a safe one.
More information can be found on the HSE Ladder Exchange website.
