HSE/GNN.NE/448/07 Date: 12 November 2007
A free workshop for local trades people is being held in the district later this month which aims to cuts the amount of accidents while working at height.
Roofers, builders, window cleaners and estate managers among others are invited to the event where they will learn that working at height, even at a low level, could place them at serious risk of injury if they don't plan work properly, assess the risks and choose the right equipment. There will also be a focus on ladder safety and demonstrations in putting up and dismantling scaffolding.
The Work at Height Health and Safety event will take place on at 2pm on Thursday, 22 November at J T Dove Ltd, North Seaton Road, Ashington and forms part of the week-long Wansbeck Safer Working Community programme.
While most professionals cleaning or maintaining multi-storey buildings are highly trained with specialist equipment, many less specialised trades people working at low height, frequently risk their health, safety and their livelihood to get a job done quickly.
The Health and Safety Executive, (HSE), in partnership with Wansbeck District Council, will emphasise that even simple tasks carried out at relatively low height, can lead to major injuries and in some cases death, without proper planning.
Nationally, HSE statistics show that falling from height is one of the biggest causes of workplace fatalities. Last year 46 people died and 3,351 people suffered major injury as a result of falls from height - deaths and accidents that needn't have happened if the correct safety procedures had been followed.
Scaffolding is used on most construction sites and given that the consequences are serious when it all goes wrong, it is vital to get things right from the start. The workshop will include a practical demonstration on the safe building and dismantling of a mobile tower scaffold, as well as other equipment for working at height.
Pam Waldron, Head of Operations for the Health and Safety Executive in the North East, said: "We would urge all workers and businesses to make sure that work at height is properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out in a safe manner, not least by selecting the correct equipment. Accidents cost businesses money, but for a smaller operator, it can cost you much more than that - it could cost you your business, or worst of all a life."
Councillor Alex Wallace, Civic Head of Wansbeck District Council, added: "The dangers involved in working at such low levels may seem less obvious to employees or small business owners - which is why raising awareness is all the more important. Many trades people have admitted answering a mobile phone while working at height, over reaching to avoid moving their ladders and even stretching down to pick up a cup of tea on the job! Complacency can creep in and this is when accidents happen.
"This event will hopefully act as a reminder to those attending of the hazards they face, but that with a little thought and planning, falls are preventable."
For further information and to read about the business benefits of being height aware, go to www.hse.gov.uk/falls
Wansbeck Safer Working Community week will be held from 19-23 November 2007. During the week various events and workshops will be held covering a wide range of health and safety topics. These include awareness of safer moving and handling, healthy workplaces, better backs, working at height, fire risk assessment and risk assessment for small businesses.
Regional reporters should call the appropriate regional COI press office.
Issued by Government News Network North East.
Regional reporters should call the appropriate regional COI press office who act as HSE's Press Office throughout Great Britain.
