03.09.2003

Second HSE Falls from Height Blitz gets underway

HSE Inspectors will be out in force visiting construction sites across Great Britain this month, checking on falls from height risks. This follows a similar blitz held in June and is part of the second phase of 'Don't Fall For It', a Europe-wide campaign aimed at reducing falls from height in construction.

In 2002/03, 33 construction workers died and many thousands more suffered a serious injury as a result of a fall from height in the workplace. Falls from height are the most common cause of fatal injury and the second most common cause of major injury to employees.

In announcing this second blitz Kevin Myers, Chief Inspector for Construction said that inspectors would be looking to see an improvement in how the industry is managing work done at height, compare to the results of first blitz held in June. He said:

"Falling from height is the biggest killer in this industry. During the blitz in June, HSE Inspectors saw many examples of people using innovative and safe forms of access methods and equipment. However we still had to serve enforcement notices at one third of the 1446 construction sites visited. Clearly, the message of how to reduce falls from height is not yet understood by everybody working in this industry. Given that most fall from height accidents are preventable, there is no excuse for not ensuring that all work being carried out at height is done safely. This second national blitz should act as a reminder of how important it is to further improve the management of fall from height risks on construction sites if we are to continue to reduce fatal and major injuries."

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The HSE's second UK blitz follows a similar blitz held in June and is part of the second phase of Don't Fall For It', a Europe-wide campaign.

As part of the 'Don't Fall For It' campaign, HSE Books has released a new video, 'A head for heights', which is aimed at the construction industry and can be used to explain to everybody on site the risks of working at height and how they can be safely managed.

Speaking about 'A head for heights' Mr Myers said: "This video provides excellent practical advice on risks of falling from height and how they can be eliminated or, if not, mitigated. The re-enactment of fall from height accidents and their tragic consequences also serves as a reminder of why working at height must be done safely."

During the construction blitz, inspectors will be focusing on making sure that where work at height is taking place or planned a proper assessment of the risks has been carried out and the hierarchy of controls have been considered. For instance, inspectors will be looking to see that:

- Work at height has been eliminated where possible;

- Where elimination is not possible, the correct equipment has been selected;

- Work platforms have been installed with adequate access;

- If using mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs), they are used correctly;

- If using tower scaffolds, they are correctly erected with edge protection and toeboards as necessary;

- Ladders or step ladders are only being used for short duration work, that they are the correct type for that work and are secured to prevent slipping;

- If using safety harnesses, they have suitable anchorages and adequate fall distances and are inspected; and

- All work at height equipment, including ladders and step-ladders, have been inspected, examined and maintained as necessary.

In addition, inspectors will look to ensure that only competent contractors are used for work at height and that all jobs have been properly planned and thought through.

The national construction falls from height blitz will be taking place over two weeks from Monday 8 September 2003. In London, the blitz is being extended across other industries with HSE inspectors looking at fall from height risks at workplaces including industrial estates, airports, hospitals, schools, window cleaning operations and factories as well as construction.

'Don't Fall For It' is a European Union campaign on falls from height in construction. The European Commission's Senior Labour Inspectors Committee (SLIC) has agreed to undertake this campaign on falls from height risks in the construction industry in 2003. All member states will be participating in the campaign.