Falls from Height: Positive news, but improvement still needed

21st November 2016

There has been a downward trend in the number of falls from height, highlighted in the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) ill health and injury statistics, published earlier this month.

Although this is clearly a step in the right direction –  fatalities are down from 42 in 2014/15 to 37 in 2015/16 – falls from height still account for the single biggest cause of fatalities on site and in the workplace.  Much still remains to be done, however, as falls from height also accounted for 5,956 non-fatal injuries over the twelve-month period to 31 March 2016.

The HSE’s statistics also highlight that only six different accident types made up three-quarters of fatal injuries in 2015/16.  Falls from height are at the top of the league table, as illustrated below:

  • Falls from height: 37
  • Struck by moving vehicle: 27
  • Struck by moving object:  15
  • Trapped by overturning:   13
  • Contact with machinery:  9
  • Drowning or asphyxiation: 8

Should you have any concerns about undertaking work at height, please contact us.  Our highly-experienced health and safety consultants undertake Working at Height Risk Assessments, which ensure that standards meet the specific requirements of the Work at Height Regulations.

A site-specific report will be produced which contains details of the areas examined, risk assessment and actions to be implemented. Actions will be supported with digital photographs, where necessary.  Our consultant will also examine safe working practices, method statements and risk assessments provided by contractors who access these areas.