Graph taken from 'Workplace fatal injuries in Great Britain, 2019'
Falling from height remains biggest cause of workplace fatalities
Falling from height remains the single biggest cause of fatal accidents in UK workplaces, according to new figures released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) this week. In the past year alone, 40 people have died following a fall from height at work - an increase from 35 in 2017/18.
For us here at PASMA, these statistics spur us on to keep promoting height safety. Our ambition is to see everyone who works at height going home safely after work. The HSE's latest report makes sombre reading and reminds us that there's still progress to be made.
As the only organisation dedicated to advancing safety for users of scaffold towers, we'll take the opportunity to remind you that if you work on towers or are responsible for the health and safety of those who do, it's vital you ensure that they are built by someone who has been properly trained to do so. No job is more important than safety. That's why PASMA provides the industry standard
training scheme for mobile scaffold towers, via a network of approved training centres.
In addition, always check that you're using towers that comply with safety regulations. In the case of standard towers, it must meet (BS) EN1004 or an international equivalent such as SANS 51004. If you're using a non-standard tower, for example if it has cantilever platforms, then the standard you're looking for is BS1139 Part 6. Our help section has more
advice on buying towers.
Speaking more generally about work at height now, we must reiterate our support for the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Working at Height chaired by Alison Thewliss MP. The
report they published this year followed widespread public consultation and contains
six recommendations for how regulation could be improved to prevent more fatalities and serious injuries.
These latest figures are further evidence for why the APPG's work is so important. In our view, it's essential that their recommendations become reality. For the sake of the millions who work at height every day, the sooner the better.
For more details on the HSE statistics for 2018/19, please read
their report.
Please support the
No Falls Foundation, the only charity dedicated to preventing falls from height and helping people affected by the consequences of a fall.
