FEATURE
ELEVATING WORKPLACE SAFETY
such a big issue Q: and safety at work?
The latest statistics from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) show that over 5,000 people were injured last year due to falls from height, with 40 of these incidents proving fatal.
NHS data tells us that approximately every 11 minutes of every hour of every day, people attend A&E after sustaining an injury involving a ladder.
These figures represent lives, careers, and families blighted – and sometimes destroyed - by accidents that, in many cases, are preventable.
Last year, nearly a million working days were lost due to working at height accidents, and the financial toll exceeded £770m, underscoring the serious cost of these accidents to the economy. These concerning statistics serve as a stark reminder that we all have a responsibility to ensure best practices in using ladders are widely understood and followed.
when it comes to health
Why is ladder safety still
Q:
In this exclusive interview, David Gray, Chair of the Ladder Association and Managing Director of ladder manufacturer T.B Davies, explores the pivotal role of innovation and comprehensive training in advancing ladder safety standards.
Can you tell us more about the data gap in reporting working at height accidents?
The statistics on working at height don't tell us what equipment was used or what caused the falls. However, sadly, the number of non-fatal injuries resulting from falls from height per year has remained relatively static since 2014.
You can't manage what you can't measure, so we urgently need better-quality data.
The Ladder Association is working to address the data gap in working at height accidents by collaborating with governmental bodies and industry stakeholders to improve the accuracy and granularity of accident reporting. By advocating for more detailed reporting, we aim to better understand the causes and circumstances of such accidents. This enhanced data collection will inform the development of targeted safety training and awareness programmes, aiming to reduce the frequency of falls.
Q:
As working at height accidents continue to be the leading cause of
workplace fatalities, what are the most common oversights or mistakes that lead to these accidents?
Working at height accidents often stem from common oversights and mistakes. Chief among these is the lack of proper risk assessment, leading to inappropriate equipment selection for the task at hand. Ladders are safety-critical equipment and are, in most cases, the best tool for the job. However, inadequate training on the safe use of equipment and failure to adhere to safety protocols exacerbate the risk of falls. Neglecting the regular maintenance and inspection of equipment can result in using damaged or faulty gear. In addition, complacency and over-familiarity with tasks often lead workers to underestimate the risks associated with working at height, leading to preventable accidents.
Q: 30
What can health and safety officers do to mitigate these risks?
Fostering a safety-first culture that challenges complacency and promotes continuous learning about the risks of working at height can significantly reduce incidents. The best way to mitigate risk is rigorously enforcing comprehensive risk assessments for every
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