The Building Safety Group (BSG) has reported an 84% increase in the
number of ‘Working at Height’ breaches occurring on construction sites during
the first quarter of 2021. BSG’s latest figures were obtained following 4300
independent site inspections that took place between 1st January and
31st March this year.
BGS’s report is a cause for concern as ‘Working at Height’ remains the biggest
danger for construction workers. Statistics released by the Health and Safety
Executive (HSE) in 2020 show that almost half of all construction accidents
(47%) were from falls from height. There were 40 fatal injuries in 2019/20,
slightly up on the 5-year average of 37 per year. 29 of these fatalities were
due to falls from height. Over 60% of deaths during working at height involve
falls from ladders, scaffolds, working platforms, roof edges and through
fragile roofs.
No. of Working at Height Breaches occurring on construction sites Q1 2021
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require employers and those in control of
any work at height activity to ensure that the work is properly planned, well
supervised and carried out by competent people. In general terms, being
competent to work at height means having the right skills, knowledge, training
and experience. The precise definition of competence for a specific job depends
on the nature of the work and the equipment being used.
“Working at Height is clearly the most dangerous activity carried out in
the construction sector” commented Andy Harper, Technical Support Manager at
BSG. “We can all do more to ensure that work is properly planned, supervised
and conducted by qualified workers who have the required skills for the job in
hand. Having the correct control measures in place and assessing the risk is
also essential for avoiding accidents. In addition, companies should try to
complete as much work as possible from the ground, ensure safe access and
egress and importantly, make certain that any equipment used is suitable and
designed for that purpose, installed and used by a competent person and
inspected as required by the Working at Height Regulations 2005 and relevant
guidance”.
For further information about the risks of working at height and how to limit
risk exposure, please visit the BSG website www.bsgltd.co.uk.
