Working at Height safety breaches rise

Working at Height safety breaches are on the rise, according to new figures released by The Building Safety Group (BSG).

A rise of some 13% in the number of ‘Working at Height’ safety breaches has been recorded on construction sites in the last quarter compared with the first quarter of 2018. The numbers also reflect an increase in fatalities from workers falling from height.

HSE statistics show there were 35 ‘falling from height’ related deaths in 2017/18, up 40% compared to the previous year. Other common causes of fatal injuries included being struck by a moving vehicle (26) and being struck by a moving object (23).

Paul Kimpton, Managing Director at the Building Safety Group, commented: “Employers have a legal duty to ensure that the ‘Work at Height Regulations 2005’ are implemented and that all activity is properly supervised and carried out by people who are competent. They are also responsible for ensuring that fall protection systems for Working at Height are regularly inspected, particularly when working in hazardous environments.”

Paul added: “Critically, ‘falls from height’ are still one of the most common causes of injuries to employees, accounting for a large number of work-place deaths. So employers must of course take their responsibilities very seriously, not least because of the potential harm to workers but also because of the risk to the business as well as the number of working days lost.”

Falls through fragile surfaces, particularly fibre-cement roofs and roof lights account for the majority all ‘fall from height’ fatal injuries in the construction industry. Workers undertaking roof work and building maintenance can die or be permanently disabled when they fall through fragile surfaces.

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