Ladder safety taken to new heights

At an estimated £50 billion, (based on 2003 figures) the annual cost to society is also staggering. What Knot, the device that can tie and unfasten almost any rope with a thickness between 3 mm to 15 mm, can help reduce these figures by anchoring ladders securely in place. 

HSE (Health and Safety Executive) guidance on ladder use states: “Ladders have to be prevented from slipping during use.” According to Just Right Products UK & Europe, the simplest, quickest and most cost effective way to achieve this is by using the What Knot in conjunction with rope and anchor bolts, available from stores such as Screwfix.

What Knot can be placed at any point along the length of good quality rope, connecting and disconnecting in just six seconds. Users can place and adjust it to the nearest millimetre simply and quickly. It’s completely waterproof, so will never rust or rot, and it’s impervious to the sun’s rays. 

Demonstrating the What Knot on a video on the company’s Facebook page, builder Luke said his ladder felt a lot more secure: “It’s tied up at three points. You know the base isn’t going to kick out. It feels way more sturdy and it’s really quick and simple to put together. It makes me feel a lot more confident.”

Steven Daniels, owner of Just Right Products UK & Europe, the exclusive importer of What Knot, said: “This is a quick, simple and really cost effective way to stay safe when using ladders, as opposed to scaffold towers, as appropriate. The accident statistics are truly shocking, yet the What Knot offers a genuine preventive measure for professional tradespeople and DIY enthusiasts alike.” 

If ladders are used a lot as part of a day-to-day job, the What Knot could also reduce employers liability insurances. What Knot is stocked by Robert Dyas, Screwfix and a growing number of independent retailers across the UK at the recommended retail price of £7.95 for a single unit, reducing to £6.00 each if purchasing a pack of 6.

In 2011, Steven Daniels of Just Right Products won a Theo Paphitis Small Business Sunday award. These awards recognise innovative SMEs throughout the country.