In the UK this week is 'No Falls Week,' dedicated to raising awareness of the hazards associated with working at height, and what steps to take to mitigate the risks.
The No Falls Foundation is a charity that has been established to promote safe working practices for individuals working at height. https://nofallsfoundation.org/
An arborist at work
Accident date shows that working at height accounts for the greatest number of workplace fatalities and eight percent of all workplace injuries.
Working from scaffold
Following a fall from height the most common injuries can be seen below:
Statistics from the HSE
There is also potential for these injuries to develop into long term health issues and more serious injuries could be sustained. The more serious immediate injuries sustained after a fall from height are: Brain haemorrhaging, head injury, skull fractures, spinal injury, paralysis, rib fractures, lung contusion, cardiac and aortic rupture, broken limbs and amputation injuries.
To mitigate the risk of falls from height, employers are constantly urged to plan work in advance. Additionally, individuals working at height should undergo necessary training, particularly if operating aerial work platforms.
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