According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) 35 fatal workplace fall from height-related incidents occurred in the UK in 2017/2018, an increase of 40% from 2016/2017.
The number of Work at Height safety breaches recorded on construction sites also saw an increase of 13%, according to the Building Safety Group (BSG).
Whether these figures are due to employers becoming slack with height health and safety, more people working at height than ever before, or a multitude of other factors, the importance of height safety training and equipment can’t be overemphasized.
Risks
Falling
The obvious risk is falling, and many people do not realise that falls from as little as 2 metres can be fatal. Safety harness and height safety equipment are imperative to anyone working above 1.5m. The number of deaths from falling is relatively low in the UK, but injuries such as broken limbs and muscle damage are frequently recorded as a direct result of falling.
Falling Objects
Not securing objects at height or materials stored on a fragile surface are at risk of falling and injuring people below. Sectors such as roofing and the construction industry are particularly important as objects not secured are at risk of injuring members of the public once workers have left the site. Methods should be put in place to secure objects stored at height and appropriate fall arrest systems should be installed in the event of an emergency.
Best Practices in the workplace
As a legal requirement, employers must ensure risk assessments are carried out prior to any work beginning. Appropriate equipment, such as ladders and platforms, should be regularly maintained and inspected.
Risk Assessments
A risk assessment is required to be carried out in any work environment to understand which areas offer the highest potential risks.
Risk Assessments should highlight all potential hazards and indicate the necessary precautions required to prevent injury. Action should then be taken to implement these methods and regular checks should be carried out to ensure that any changes to an environment are addressed with new safety precautions.
A1 Height Safety: Ensuring Height Safety In the Workplace
Sometimes working at height can’t be avoided. But we can help to ensure maximum safety when you are required to work at heights.
To ensure you and your employees remain safe at all times, we offer installation, repair and maintenance of all safety systems no matter your industry requirements.
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with our friendly experts today if you would like to learn more.