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Accidents involving Falling Objects

An object falling even from a low height can cause significant injury. Hand held equipment, and any equipment being stored or placed at height, poses significant risk to anyone passing or working below.

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 (as amended) imposes a duty on employers to do all that is reasonably practicable to prevent anything that is likely to cause injury falling from height.

There are a number of ways employers could fulfil their duty

• store equipment that must be stored at height safely so if it moves it shall not fall

• use close boarded platforms or toes board so it is more difficult to kick anything on the platform over the edge

• use covered platforms or walkways

• attach tools to the area at height by safety lines so if they are dropped they will not reach the level of people working below

Ensure only absolutely necessary equipment is taken to work areas at height

The above is not an exhaustive list it is merely an example of what may be reasonably practicable under the circumstances for employers to do to avoid injury caused by falling objects.

If there is no reasonable practicable way your employers can prevent the risk of workers being stuck by a falling object they must clearly warn workers in the area where the risk exists and make sure unauthorised persons cannot enter this area.