WORKING AT HEIGHT FOCUS
WORKING AT HEIGHT FOCUS
W
orking at height is one of the leading
causes of major injuries and fatalities in the
workplace. ‘Work at height’ is defined as
work in any place where, if there were no precautions
in place, a person could fall a distance liable to cause
personal injury. Common accidents include falls from
ladders and through fragile roofs.
The latest health and safety statistics for Great Britain
(2016/17)* state that, although the period had the second
lowest fatality rate by year on record (after 2013/14),
137 workers were killed due to work related activities.
More specifically, falls from height were the second most
popular cause of recorded fatalities (25 deaths / 18%), after
being struck by moving vehicles (31 deaths / 19%).
*Source: Fatal injuries reportable under RIDDOR, 2012/13-2016/17
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HSE INTERNATIONAL