Working at Height Regulations | Work at height statistics

Falls from height are still the main cause of fatal accident and injury within the workplace in 2021/22

HLS | Work at Height remains the main cause of fatal injuries in 2022, this infographic provides that facts and what to do to ensure that your company prevents becoming a statistic

Falls from height are still the main cause of fatal accident and injury within the workplace in 2021/22
Laura Hemsley

By Laura Hemsley
On Jul 14, 2022

Read time
4 minutes

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With working at height comes risk, in 2021/2022, 29 workers died as a result of an accident caused by working at height. That's 2 per month, which is a slight decrease on the previous year. Over 60% of deaths during work at height involve falls from ladders, scaffolds, working platforms, roof edges and through fragile roofs.

Despite long term reductions in the number of workers killed by work activities, each year such cases continue, with 123 such deaths in 2021/22. This number compares. with 251 twenty years ago (2001/02) and 495 in 1981. 

According to the latest HSE statistics, there were also 35,280 non-fatal accidents involving falls from height across all industries. That's 97 accidents every day!

HLS FALLS FROM HEIGHT STATS 21-22-01 (2)

 

Sources:

HSE; www.hse.gov.uk/statistics

HSE Non-Fatal Statistics

http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causinj/index.htm

The Labour Force Survey (LFS)

The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR)

 

Typical preventable accidents

Typically accidents involving working at height (over two thirds) are caused by low falls using ladders and stepladders incorrectly, overstretching from ladders and standing on benches or chairs to reach high surfaces. Accidents can also involve access equipment, such as mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs). 

The issue is how can companies keep their workers safe, and stay compliant with its legal and regulatory obligations?

 

Be proactive

Having the correct control measures in place and assessing the risk can ensure that your business avoids an accident.  Always prepare people and equipment thoroughly and never, ever cut corners on safety procedures.

Site survey and risk assessments

Prevention is always better than the cure. At HLS, we provide work at height risk assessments and site surveys where we can assess your work environment, discuss training and maintenance requirements, and use this information to make recommendations and devise an action plan. It’s the perfect starting point for safe and compliant working at height.

The right equipment for the job

One of the most important aspects of the Work at Height regulations is selecting the right equipment that is most appropriate for the work being carried out.

There is a big range of equipment to choose from when a ladder or step ladder is not appropriate such as Push-around vertical lifts,  Self-propelled vertical lifts,  Tracked boom liftsMobile (self-propelled) boom lifts and Bespoke platforms

Training

Safe working at height training is essential for those who have to work in any area where they may be at risk from a fall from height. The aim of any work at height training course is to enhance people's awareness of the issues involved with working at height. 

Find out more about training for working at height here. 

In Summary

With there being such a large number of products and procedures to consider when working at height the important thing is to choose equipment which is most appropriate for the task at hand, complete a risk assessment and make sure the person using the equipment has had the correct training. 

If you would like to discuss any of the above or you have any specific work at height questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at HLS. 

 

Download our Free Expert Work at Hight Guide by clicking the download button below. 

Download the HLS Working at Height Expert Guide

As part of our commitment to work at height safety this guide is designed to provide guidance and advice on how to minimise risk and ensure compliance.

Download

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Laura Hemsley

By Laura Hemsley
On Jul 14, 2022

Read time
4 minutes

Share this Article

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