The hazards with working at height in construction
Work at height is the biggest single cause of fatal and serious injury in the construction industry, particularly on smaller
projects. According to the HSE over 60% of deaths during work at height involve falls from ladders, scaffolds, working platforms, roof edges and through fragile roofs or rooflights.
Hazards associated with working at height in construction
Key hazards associated with work at height in construction
include:
- Poor planning and organising of work-at-height activities,
including a lack of or insufficient risk assessment - Workers not being given sufficient information, training,
instruction or supervision
When work at height cannot be avoided, common hazards
include:
- Unprotected edges of roofs and services, including fragile
roofs, unprotected openings and excavations - Using equipment or practices not suitable for the task
- Using work at height equipment incorrectly, e.g. not in
accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, design or
load capabilities - The failure of equipment or anchor points
- Erection of WAH platforms and equipment on uneven or
unstable ground - Weather conditions which make surfaces more slippery or
reduce visibility - Equipment Failures
- Carrying or moving heavy loads at height
- Falling objects
- Sources of electricity
- Fatigue & Complacency
What is the issue and who is at risk?
A wide range of individuals in the construction sector are potentially exposed to risks stemming from working at height activities, depending on the nature of the project. These can include:
Scaffold installers
These workers are often among the first and last on site. Falls
can occur to them during scaffold erection and dismantling,
unstable structures, incomplete platforms, lack of guardrails.
Roofers
Stepping on fragile roof materials, exposure to unprotected
edges, roof lights, and sudden weather changes.
Plant and equipment installers
This includes specialists who install or maintain:
HVAC (Heat Ventilation and Air Conditioning ) systems
Ducting and pipework
Heavy plant mounted at height
Electrical systems (lighting, power units on ceilings)
Cranes and hoists operators
Working from ladders or MEWPs (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms), awkward
postures, falls during transfers between access platforms and fixed structures.
General construction workers
Any trade may be exposed at certain project stages:
- Carpenters (roof structures, formwork)
- Steel fixers
- Masons (working on a scaffold)
- Painters and decorators (external façades)
- Glaziers (installing windows at height)
- Window cleaners
- Maintenance crew
Building Inspectors & Surveyors
Often required to access difficult-to-reach parts of buildings, sometimes on
temporary structures.
Other measures to consider in conjunction with other risk control measures:
- Training and toolbox talks, e.g. ladders, tower scaffold
erection, use of mobile elevated working platforms. - Warning notices, e.g. for fragile roofs.
- Making edges highly visible when physical edge
protection is not practicable. - Suitable emergency rescue procedures for a suspended person.
For OSH practitioners, it is imperative to have an active role during the working at height risk management process, from
conducting the required risk assessment, to conducting regular workplace safety audits, forming toolbox talks, and
conducting the investigation of accident or near-misses caused by work at height activities.
OSH professionals should develop:
- Their competency in assessing risks
associated with working at height, including
risks related to factors such as work pressure
and complacency - Relationships with operational stakeholders,
such as site managers and supervisors, to be
in a position to provide ongoing support
Their skills in influencing and negotiating
with leaders, so that they can address risks
related to excess pressure or unreasonable
expectations
OSH professionals have a critical role to play in reducing the risk associated with working at height. Helping to make workers feel confident in voicing concerns and making suggestions is vital. This may be through formal Health & Safety committee meetings, but informal chats about the working environment are just as important.
When incidents do occur, the OSH professional has a responsibility to investigate all the contributing factors, including aspects such as pressure to work quickly. Making use of the insights they gather and ensuring changes are made is a fundamental
part of their role.
While some workplace injuries are declining, falls from height are not. They remain the leading cause of workplace fatalities and injuries in the UK, accounting for an alarming 36% of all deaths in 2023/24.
IOSH are currently running a Working at Heights campaign.
Working at Height : Don't Fall Silent
To find out more about the effect a fall from height can have of individuals, families and employees and how you can help speak up for safety please visit the IOSH website.
Don't Fall Silent.
