Working at Height & Falls from Height

Falls from Height

Who is affected & most at risk?

Many workers in a variety of jobs could be at risk of falling from height at work, including:-

• those involved in maintenance and construction;

• painters, decorators and window cleaners;

• those who undertake one-off jobs without proper training, planning or equipment;

• those in the transport industry.

All industry sectors are exposed to the risks presented by this hazard, although the level of incidence varies considerably. In addition to the hazards associated with people working at height, there is also the potential hazard of objects falling onto people, for example due to poor securing of objects in storage. Both types of hazard are covered by health and safety legislation.

These events usually arise due to poor management control rather than because of equipment failure. Common factors include:

•   Failure to recognise a problem;

•   Failure to ensure that safe systems of work are followed;

•   Failure to provide safe systems of work;

•   Inadequate information, instruction, training or supervision provided;

•   Failure to use appropriate equipment;

•   Failure to provide safe plant/equipment.

At Thompsons Solicitors we encounter many people who have been injured as a result of a fall from height and also families of those tragically killed by such falls.

Some of the most common causes of accidents we hear about include:

• Falls from ladders;

• Falls from machines;

• Falls through roofs;

• Falls through roof lights;

• Falls from scaffolding;

• Falls from other open edges, such as loading bays, roofs, platforms, pits in the ground and holes in flooring.

Duty holders should check that workers are fit to use the equipment that they are provided with, and employees should report any issues (including health issues) that may affect their safety or the safety of others.

The HSE have produced a number of guides on working safely at heights and avoiding falls. These leaflets are freely available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/fallindx.htm.

If you or someone you love has been involved in an accident call our No Win No Fee Lawyers today FREE on 0800 0891331 and we can advise you on your first steps toward receiving compensation.