Aluminium ladders could be needed in greater numbers to allow work to proceed on more public construction than at this time last year, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.
Compared with the first quarter of 2012, the second quarter saw a 31.5% rise in ‘public other’ new construction work, which includes all public orders not related to housing or infrastructure.
In terms of infrastructure works – where aluminium ladders are often installed to allow future maintenance work to be carried out more safely – both public and private investment is up year on year.
Since the second quarter of 2011, 38.5% more infrastructure projects began in Q2 2012, which is likely to have led to more safety ladders being installed to allow access at high altitudes.
However, it’s not only in infrastructure works where safety ladders are an important addition to an otherwise completed structure.
Any building with a flat roof where access is required – from commercial premises, to high-density rented accommodation like high-rise flats – can benefit from a similar focus on safety at high altitude.