Ad
Friday, September 5, 2025
19.1 C
London

The Voice of Scaffolding Since 2008  U.K. Edition

00Days
00Hours
00Mins
00Secs

Working at height breaches increase by 84%

- Advertisement -

The Building Safety Group (BSG) has reported an 84% increase in the number of ‘Working at Height’ breaches occurring on construction sites during the first quarter of 2021.

BSG’s latest figures were obtained following 4300 independent site inspections that took place between January and March this year.

BGS’s report is a cause for concern as ‘Working at Height’ remains the biggest danger for construction workers. Statistics released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in 2020 show that almost half of all construction accidents (47%) were from falls from height.

There were 40 fatal injuries in 2019/20, slightly up on the 5-year average of 37 per year. 29 of these fatalities were due to falls from height. Over 60% of deaths during working at height involve falls from ladders, scaffolds, working platforms, roof edges and through fragile roofs.

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require employers and those in control of any work at height activity to ensure that the work is properly planned, well supervised and carried out by competent people.

In general terms, being competent to work at height means having the right skills, knowledge, training and experience. The precise definition of competence for a specific job depends on the nature of the work and the equipment being used.

“Working at Height is clearly the most dangerous activity carried out in the construction sector,” commented Andy Harper, Technical Support Manager at BSG.

“We can all do more to ensure that work is properly planned, supervised and conducted by qualified workers who have the required skills for the job in hand. Having the correct control measures in place and assessing the risk is also essential for avoiding accidents.

In addition, companies should try to complete as much work as possible from the ground, ensure safe access and egress and importantly, make certain that any equipment used is suitable and designed for that purpose, installed and used by a competent person and inspected as required by the Working at Height Regulations 2005 and relevant guidance.”

- Advertisement -
Scaffmag Newsdesk
Scaffmag Newsdeskhttps://www.scaffmag.com
The staff at ScaffMag.com the leading scaffolding site for a digital generation.

Popular Categories

Most Read

Major shake-up in scaffolding training governance announced

The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has unveiled...

Game changing UK-First in Scaffolding Innovation under the Forth Road Bridge 

Layher pioneers its advanced cantilever technique with Hardrock Scaffolding...

Shaun Ryder tipped as VIP guest at ScaffEx25 awards

Musician Shaun Ryder is rumoured to be among the...

Layher UK set to unveil show-stopping ScaffEx25 stand in exclusive preview 

Scaffmag has been given exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Layher...

Leaked Drone Footage Shows Giant ScaffEx Screen Over Manchester

Leaked drone footage has revealed a giant video screen...

Related Articles

SEP Culant and JMAC Team Up to Transform UK Work-at-Height Services

SEP Culant and JMAC Group have joined forces in a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing work-at-height and access support services across multiple industries in the UK. The collaboration brings together SEP Culant’s rope...
- Advertisements -

Latest Topics

Leach’s partners with DeWalt to launch tools tailored for scaffolders

Leach’s has announced a new partnership with power tool...

Major shake-up in scaffolding training governance announced

The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) has unveiled...

Layher UK set to unveil show-stopping ScaffEx25 stand in exclusive preview 

Scaffmag has been given exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Layher...
- Advertisement -