The six most common reasons for falls from height

00:00 21 May 2008

Failure to recognise a problem: A risk assessment should have raised this.
Failure to ensure that safe systems of work are followed: How often do over-zealous workers take a short cut despite being provided with the necessary tools and training?
Failure to provide safe systems of work: Often employees will risk injury because the job 'will only take a few minutes'.
Inadequate information, instruction, training or supervision provided: Don't take for granted that everyone has the requisite knowledge to complete a job. It is the employer's responsibility to ensure that the employee has been trained, not the other way round.
Failure to use appropriate equipment: We have all seen pictures of personnel standing on the forks of a telehandler or standing on the top rung of a ladder.
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Failure to provide safe plant/equipment: The PUWER (Provision and Use Work Equipment Regulations 1998) and LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) are designed to ensure that all equipment complies with Health & Safety Legislation and that it is serviced and regularly maintained.