PASMA sponsors inquiry into falls from height
PASMA is sponsoring the new All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Working at Height, which launched its first official enquiry into the number of serious injuries and fatalities resulting from falls from height and falling objects in the UK workplace.
Chaired by Glasgow Central MP Alison Thewliss, the inquiry is now open for evidence submissions from interested stakeholders until 2nd March 2018. The APPG will consider this evidence and produce a report and recommendations on how the frequency of serious injuries and fatalities can be reduced.
In 2016/2017, 18% of those who died at work were killed due to a fall from height. PASMA and the 11 member organisations of the Access Industry Forum (AIF) believe there are a range of issues that urgently need to be addressed to help reduce these alarming 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 task at hand.
Alison Thewliss, Chair of the APPG for Working at Height said: "That 18 percent of people killed at work did so as a result 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.
"The Access Industry forum, and PASMA are glad to support the work of this new APPG, which aims to shine a light on 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.
"I would urge all organisations engaged in working at height - no matter what industry or trade - to submit evidence to this inquiry, and help ensure that all of those who work at height return home safely every day."
Submissions to the inquiry can be sent via workingatheight.info
