HSE International ISSUE 111 | Page 17

PASMA TO HOLD WORK AT HEIGHT CONFERENCE IN ABU DHABI • The true cost of getting it wrong • Importance of Standardisation • Changing attitudes for the better ASMA, the international not-for-profit authority for the mobile access tower industry, is to host its second conference in the Middle East dedicated entirely to this important sector of the work at height industry. It will take place on Wednesday, March 14th 2018 at the Marriott Hotel Al Forsan in Abu Dhabi, and is set to be a landmark event in the development of tower safety and good practice across the region. The one-day event - open to PASMA members and non- members alike - will address a wide variety of topics. Delegates will hear from recognised experts with unrivalled knowledge and expertise, get clarity on the latest standards and guidance, and gain insights into the opportunities and challenges facing the industry. Aimed at access equipment suppliers, companies who work at height, health and safety professionals, government departments and legislators, key topics include: PASMA’s Chair of the Middle East Safety at Height Advisory Panel, Mike Palmer, comments: P “This exciting event will help shape the future of the work at height industry in general, and the mobile access tower industry in particular. “It is a must-attend conference for anyone involved, either directly or indirectly, in working at height and height safety, especially those companies and individuals wanting to expand their activities and keep people safe at the same time.” The conference is preceded by a special award ceremony and networking dinner on the night of Tuesday, March 13th. Tickets can be booked online. For more information, visit: www.pasma.co.uk/news/article/137 NEWLY FORMED APPG LAUNCHES INQUIRY INTO WORKPLACE FALLS FROM HEIGHT T he newly formed All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Working at Height, sponsored by PASMA and chaired by Glasgow Central MP, Alison Thewlis, launched its first inquiry into the numbers of serious injuries and fatalities which occur because of a fall from height and falling objects. The inquiry was open for evidence submissions from interested stakeholders until March 2nd 2018. The APPG will have two days in Parliament to consider evidence – following that, they will develop a report to make recommendations on how the frequency of serious injuries and fatalities can be reduced. In 2016/17, 18% of those who died at work did so as a result of a fall from height. PASMA, together with the Access Industry Forum (AIF) – the forum for the eleven leading trade associations and federations involved in work at height – believes that there are many issues that need to be urgently addressed to reduce these figures. These include: better collection of statistics relating to workplace falls; more in-depth investigations; raising awareness of the dangers of working at height; and the need to choose the most appropriate piece of access equipment for the job. Alison Thewliss, Chair of the APPG for Working at Height said: “That 18% of people killed at work did so because of a fall from height is a shocking statistic. The APPG for Working at Height has brought together concerned MPs from several parties to investigate the reasons for falls from height and ensure current regulations are sufficient for protecting workers at height in the UK.” Peter Bennett, Managing Director of PASMA said: “Although the number of overall workplace deaths has decreased since 2015, nearly one in five of those who lost their lives last year died because of a fall from height. “PASMA and the AIF are glad to support the work of this new APPG which aims to study and examine the reasons for falls from height in the workplace. We look forward to seeing its recommendations to the Health and Safety Executive on how the number of people and families affected by falls from height can be further reduced.” HSE INTERNATIONAL 17