Falling from height accidents at work
Falls from height are one of the most common accidents at work and a major cause of work accident fatalities. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), out of a total of 220 people killed in accidents at work during 2004/05, 53 were killed as a result of falling from height. A further 3,800 suffered serious personal injuries as a result of high falls.
While regulatory bodies such as the HSE aim to make such accident at work statistics diminish, it is also down to individual employees and the employers to make sure that they are working according to the safety regulations.
Common causes of falls from height in the workplace
Jobs where working from height is required are not just limited to the male dominated building, roofing and scaffolding trades. Window dressers and even office workers are also at risk.
Believe it or not, over 97% of falls caused by accidents at work occur below head height. However, the most common scenarios that result in falls from height include:
- The worker over-reaching while on a ladder or similar - the body should be kept central when on the ladder
- The worker slipping from the ladder - the rungs may be dirty or wet
- The ladder wobbling, slipping and falling, taking the worker with it - the ladder may not be on firm, level ground
- The ladder breaking - the ladder may not be positioned properly or may be carrying too much weight
If using a ladder, be safe
Where possible working at height should be avoided and an alternative, safer method used. However, where working from height is a necessary requirement it is important to remember that ladder use should be restricted to low-risk short duration work (between 15 and 30 minutes).
Also, it is the responsibility of employers to follow safety guidelines and height regulations carefully and make sure that their employees are trained to erect and dismantle equipment, such as ladders, correctly. Specifically, employers, contractors or any other people that have a duty of care must ensure:
- All work from height is properly planned and organised
- Those involved in work at height are competent
- The risks from work at height are assessed and appropriate work equipment is selected and used
- The risks from fragile surfaces are properly controlled
- Equipment for work at height is properly inspected and maintained
Making a claim following a work accident today
Claims made by people who sustain personal injuries after falling from ladders or step ladders equate to over £60 million every year and The Claim Solicitors could help you to make your claim.
If you have had an accident at work as a result of someone else's negligence, then you are entitled to claim for any personal injuries sustained.
We work on a no win no fee basis and can help you to claim for pain, suffering, lost earnings, medical expenses and more, without it costing you a single penny.
To find out more or to make a compensation claim following an accident at work right away call 0800 197 32 32.
