February has been a busy month across the working at height sector. From enforcement action reminding organisations of the importance of proper planning, to industry events and new safety guidance, it has been a month focused on improving safety and awareness across the industry.
Here are some of the key developments from the past month.
HSE Prosecution Highlights the Importance of Safe Systems of Work
A construction company has been fined after a worker suffered serious injuries following a fall from a ladder during refurbishment works in Islington, London.
The worker fell around 1.65 metres from a stepladder while constructing timber formwork for a concrete staircase and using a gas-powered nail gun.
He sustained multiple injuries including:
Crush injuries to both elbows requiring surgery
A fractured forearm
Dislocated wrists
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the company had failed to implement a safe system of work for working at height.
Wider site failings were also identified, including:
The company had previously been served with a Prohibition Notice for unsafe work at height, highlighting ongoing safety management issues.
HLS at Safety, Health & Wellbeing Live 2026
On 10th–11th February, the HLS team exhibited at Safety, Health & Wellbeing Live Manchester 2026, and it proved to be a fantastic couple of days.
While the event may be considered one of the smaller shows in the industry calendar, it certainly delivered a big impact for us. The turnout was strong, the conversations were meaningful, and there was genuine engagement from professionals across health, safety and wellbeing.
We were particularly pleased with the level of interest shown in:
It was great to speak with so many professionals dealing with real-world working at height challenges and demonstrate how our solutions can be adapted to meet specific operational requirements.
Events like this reinforce how quickly our industry is evolving, with increasing focus on smarter design, safer access solutions and practical innovation that supports teams on the ground.
Interested in learning more?
👉 Download the HLS Hugo Lift spec sheet and see it in action
👉 Discover how our bespoke design and build process works, from initial brief through to installation
Launching Our Risk Assessment Campaign
This month we also launched a new blog campaign focused on risk assessments, exploring how organisations can strengthen their approach to identifying and managing risks.
The series includes:
Generic vs Site-Specific Risk Assessments: Why the Difference Matters
Exploring why generic templates are still widely used and why site-specific assessments are essential for effective safety management.
How to Conduct a Risk Assessment: A Step-by-Step Guide
A practical guide to identifying hazards, assessing risk and implementing effective controls.
Working at Height: 10 Common Risk Assessment Mistakes
Highlighting common mistakes in working at height risk assessments and how organisations can avoid them.
Coming Soon: The HLS Working at Height Expert Guide
We are currently developing a new HLS Working at Height Expert Guide, which will be launching soon.
The guide will bring together practical insights and guidance on key areas of working at height, including:
…and much more to help organisations improve safety when planning and carrying out work at height.
Register for early access: https://www.hls.co/expert-guide-early-access