HEALTH, SAFETY & WELLBEING CLOSING THE DATA GAP
Francis Camilleri, Technical Director at T.B. Davies and Chair of the Ladder Association Technical Committee, explains why the UK must improve reporting of low-level falls.
Low-level falls are among the most common causes of workplace injury, yet they remain poorly understood due to inconsistent reporting. This article explores the dangers of underestimating these incidents and argues that better data collection is essential for making work at height safer.
The hidden impact of low-level falls Low-level falls—those occurring from less than two metres—are often underestimated in workplace safety discussions. Yet, these incidents can lead to serious injuries, prolonged absences, and significant costs for businesses. The UK's current reporting systems fail to capture the full extent of these incidents, leaving a critical gap in our understanding and prevention strategies.
The data deficit in the UK The UK's Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) mandate reporting certain workplace incidents. However, many low-level falls go unreported, especially those that do not result in immediate, serious injury. This is particularly the case in smaller businesses and among the self-employed, where reporting culture and systems may be less robust. Estimates suggest that only 12% of incidents among the self-employed are ever officially recorded.
This lack of data creates a serious blind spot. It’s impossible to allocate resources, deliver training or improve safety without knowing how, where, and why these falls occur.
No Falls Foundation and
new momentum The No Falls Foundation, the UK’s only charity focused exclusively on fall prevention, recently backed new
government proposals to streamline accident reporting. These proposed changes would simplify the reporting process while making it more comprehensive and closing the knowledge gap around low-level falls. This growing momentum is encouraging, but it needs support from across the industry to turn policy into real, lasting change.
The cost of complacency Falls from low heights are often brushed off as clumsiness or simple human error. This complacency is reinforced by a lack of data that could otherwise reveal how widespread and harmful these falls are.
Economically, the burden is immense. In 2023/24, non- fatal falls from height in the UK resulted in around 688,000 lost working days. The total cost—including employer expenses, lost productivity, and benefit payments—is estimated to exceed £956m annually. Yet, these figures may still underestimate the true scale due to widespread underreporting.
Lessons from the US The US provides a valuable model for how better data can transform workplace safety. Organisations like the National Safety Council (NSC) publish detailed statistics on falls, including those from lower levels. In 2023, 725 fatalities resulted from falls from a lower level, highlighting the seriousness of these incidents.
What sets the US apart is the level of detail in its data collection. The NSC breaks down fall incidents by height, industry, occupation, and even the outcomes of each event. This level of granularity allows employers, regulators, and safety professionals to identify trends and implement highly targeted interventions. For example, construction firms can see if particular trades are experiencing more falls, while warehouse operators might learn that falls from ladders are more prevalent in specific environments.
This data-driven approach empowers businesses to act with precision. Instead of generic safety messaging, training can be tailored to the real risks specific to each sector. Equipment investment decisions can be based on evidence, not assumptions. Most importantly, progress can be measured because there’s a clear baseline from which to improve.
The UK, by contrast, lacks this level of transparency and insight. Without comparable data, we rely on anecdotes and assumptions, making prevention far more difficult and less effective. Learning from the US approach would give UK industries the tools to proactively and systematically address low-level falls.
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