Stats reveal that over one-third of workplace fatalities are from falls
No Falls Week takes place 12-16 May this year, and the No Falls Foundation are continuing to champion safe working at height. HETAS is proud to support the meaningful campaign and help spread awareness across our industry, helping to prevent injuries and fatalities.
Recent statistics from the Health and Safety Executive reveal that 36% of deaths in the workplace between 2023 and 2024 occurred due to falls from a height.
The No Falls Foundation are the first and only charity in the UK focusing on working at height. No Falls Week will be raising awareness of the work they do and the importance of safety and risk elimination for the second year, and the No Falls Foundation have resources available for organisations across all sectors that work at height.
Whether you’re fitting a new chimney pot, performing remedial works, or undertaking an inspection for a customer, when you’re working at height it’s essential you stay safe. Staying safe at height means you can get down and get home safely.
Fifty workers died in 2023/24 from falls from a height – the leading cause of workplace fatalities for the reporting period. There were more deaths from falls than deaths from being struck by a moving vehicle or a moving object combined, highlighting the dangers associated with working at height.
Prevention
The No Falls Foundation have comprehensive prevention resources available on their website, citing the HSE and the Access Industry Forum (AIF) to help individuals and businesses stay safe and compliant.
The Working at Height Regulations 2005 advice provides information on who must comply with regulations and what must be done to help prevent injuries and fatalities from working at height.
Risk Assessment tips include recommendations on steps you should take and the factors you should take into account each time you assess a risk when working at height.
Selecting the right equipment gives you a comprehensive list of places to go to ensure the most suitable equipment is selected and risks are minimised.
The importance of training reiterates how familiarity can lead to complacency – formal training so you can keep staying safe and be aware of risk you may not have thought about is a huge step in reducing risk, stopping you from becoming another statistic.
Underreporting
With just 12% of workplace incidents being reported by workers – a statistic which is particularly influenced by underreporting from the self-employed, it is important to change attitudes and the perspective towards workplace safety.
The HSE estimates that there have been up to 425,000 falls from height over the last 10 years, and up to 668,000 working days lost through non-fatal falls in Great Britain in just 2023-24.
In the news
In March, the HSE published two articles detailing recent prosecutions for businesses and individuals following fatal falls.
A self-employed builder in Bradford was given a suspended sentence after someone working cash-in-hand for them fell from the top level of a scaffold, suffering serious injuries and having to be placed into a medically induced coma, later dying on 8 September 2021.
In Dudley, a man also fell through a fragile roof and his death has led to fines for a company and its operations manager. An investigation found that there was no suitable and sufficient risk assessment made for the work that was being completed at height.
Get involved
The No Falls Week website contains further information, guidance, and news.
Sign up and get involved to help spread awareness, where the team have put together a range of materials to help you spread the word, including:
- Social media assets
- Email signature and website banners
- No Falls Week logos
- Factsheets
- Toolbox Talks
- Case studies
- Posters and infographics
- Videos
- Industry reports
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