According to the latest report from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for 2023/2024, workplace fatalities continue to be a concerning issue across industries in Great Britain. A total of 138 workers tragically lost their lives due to work-related accidents, an increase of 3 fatalities from the previous year. This rise, though small, highlights preventable accidents that cost lives, with falls from height remaining the primary cause.
Falls from height
50 fatalities were caused by the most common kind of accident, which were falls from a height up from 40 in 2022/2023. That is a 22% increase from 2022/23. Falls from height remain the leading cause of workplace fatalities in Great Britain, accounting for 36% of all fatalities.
Top 3 Industries Affected
The data reveals notable increases in fatalities across key industries:
Typical Preventable Accidents
Most accidents involving falls from height can be preventable, such as:
With the right precautions, many of these accidents could have been avoided.
How can you keep your workplace safe?
To prevent these tragic incidents, you must prioritise safety and compliance with legal obligations. The key is to be proactive, ensuring that all necessary control measures are in place. Here are some essential steps to maintain workplace safety:
Prevention is the best course of action. At HLS, we offer comprehensive work at height risk assessments and site surveys. We evaluate your work environment, discuss necessary training, and maintenance requirements, and devise an action plan to improve safety.
Using the appropriate equipment is vital when working at height. Instead of relying on ladders if not suitable to use, you should consider a range of alternatives like:
Proper training is essential for any worker exposed to the risk of falling from a height. Undertaking a training course can raise awareness of the risks and teaches proper equipment usage and safety protocols.
Harness Awareness and Harness User: View course
How you can help:
Join the UK Falls from Height Research Study and help prevent future falls from height.
Free resources for you to download
In Summary
Falls from height continue to be a significant risk across multiple industries, but they are preventable with the right safety measures. Selecting appropriate equipment, conducting thorough risk assessments, and providing effective training can dramatically reduce the number of workplace fatalities.
If your organisation needs support or advice on working safely at height, do not hesitate to contact us for expert guidance.