Working at height must be thoroughly planned
June 4, 2008
The Health and Safety Executive is warning companies to check potential dangers employees are exposed to while working at height.
It follows the prosecution of Oldham metropolitan borough council after an employee fell from a bowls pavilion and broke his arm while he was applying anti-vandal paint to the roof of the building.
The local authority pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 4 and 6 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
HSE inspector Helen Jones believes the accident could have had more serious consequences and urged other employers to carry out thorough checks of workplaces.
"A proper assessment of the risks should have been carried out before the work started to identify the simple precautions needed to ensure safe means of accessing and descending and working on the roof," she said.
The HSE claims 45 workers died and 3750 were seriously injured as a result of falling from height last year.
It follows the prosecution of Oldham metropolitan borough council after an employee fell from a bowls pavilion and broke his arm while he was applying anti-vandal paint to the roof of the building.
The local authority pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 4 and 6 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
HSE inspector Helen Jones believes the accident could have had more serious consequences and urged other employers to carry out thorough checks of workplaces.
"A proper assessment of the risks should have been carried out before the work started to identify the simple precautions needed to ensure safe means of accessing and descending and working on the roof," she said.
The HSE claims 45 workers died and 3750 were seriously injured as a result of falling from height last year.
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NHS Trust backs HSE campaign - March 27, 2009
London groups back slips, trips and falls campaign - March 27, 2009
Hospital backs slips, trips and falls campaign - March 23, 2009
