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Falls From Height: A Shocking Rise in Workplace Fatalities in 2023/24

Rise in workplace fatalities due to falls from height in 2023/24. Learn about preventative measures, safety equipment, and compliance to safeguard your workforce.

Falls From Height: A Shocking Rise in Workplace Fatalities in 2023/24
Emily Patrick

By Emily Patrick
On Oct 9, 2024

Read time
5 minutes

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According to the latest report from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for 2023/2024, workplace fatalities continue to be a concerning issue across industries in Great Britain. A total of 138 workers tragically lost their lives due to work-related accidents, an increase of 3 fatalities from the previous year. This rise, though small, highlights preventable accidents that cost lives, with falls from height remaining the primary cause.

Falls from height fatal statistics 2023/24 infographic

Falls from height

50 fatalities were caused by the most common kind of accident, which were falls from a height up from 40 in 2022/2023. That is a 22% increase from 2022/23. Falls from height remain the leading cause of workplace fatalities in Great Britain, accounting for 36% of all fatalities.

 

Top 3 Industries Affected

The data reveals notable increases in fatalities across key industries:

  1. Construction: Fatal injuries increased to 51, up from 45 in 2022/23.
  2. Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing: Fatalities rose to 23, up from 21.
  3. Manufacturing: The number of fatalities reached 16, up from 15.


Typical Preventable Accidents

Most accidents involving falls from height can be preventable, such as:

  • Incorrect use of ladders and stepladders
  • Overstretching from ladders
  • Standing on unsafe surfaces like production lines.
  • Incorrect operation of access equipment such as Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs)

With the right precautions, many of these accidents could have been avoided.

 

How can you keep your workplace safe?

To prevent these tragic incidents, you must prioritise safety and compliance with legal obligations. The key is to be proactive, ensuring that all necessary control measures are in place. Here are some essential steps to maintain workplace safety:

  1. Site Surveys and Risk Assessments

Prevention is the best course of action. At HLS, we offer comprehensive work at height risk assessments and site surveys. We evaluate your work environment, discuss necessary training, and maintenance requirements, and devise an action plan to improve safety.

 

  1. The Right Equipment for the Job

Using the appropriate equipment is vital when working at height. Instead of relying on ladders if not suitable to use, you should consider a range of alternatives like:

  • Push-around vertical lifts
  • Vertical mast lifts
  • Scissor lifts
  • Mobile boom lifts
  • Bespoke platform

 

  1. Training

Proper training is essential for any worker exposed to the risk of falling from a height. Undertaking a training course can raise awareness of the risks and teaches proper equipment usage and safety protocols.

 

How you can help:

Join the UK Falls from Height Research Study and help prevent future falls from height.

 

Free resources for you to download

  • Working at Height Expert Guide: Download
  • Low-Level Access Platform Expert Guide: Download
  • Ladders Safety Toolkit: Download

 

In Summary

Falls from height continue to be a significant risk across multiple industries, but they are preventable with the right safety measures. Selecting appropriate equipment, conducting thorough risk assessments, and providing effective training can dramatically reduce the number of workplace fatalities.

If your organisation needs support or advice on working safely at height, do not hesitate to contact us for expert guidance.

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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Emily Patrick

By Emily Patrick
On Oct 9, 2024

Read time
5 minutes

Share this Article

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