HSC press release C067:03 - 4 December 2003

HSC SEEKS YOUR VIEW ON HOW TO WORK AT HEIGHT SAFELY

The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) is seeking views from industry, unions and workers on draft work at height regulations and guidance.

Bill Callaghan, HSC Chair, today opened a four-month consultation period and launched a consultation document that sets out the proposed new regulations and guidance to improve the planning, organising and management of work at height.

Each year 50 to 60 workers are killed as a result of a fall from height and around 4,000 workers suffer serious injuries.

In launching the draft Work at Height regulations for consultation, Bill Callaghan said:

"Despite recent improvements, falling from height remains the single biggest cause of workplace deaths and the second biggest cause of serious injuries.

"Working at height is a common activity at work. While the risk of injury will differ, for instance when constructing buildings or using a step ladder, it is important that the risks are properly managed.

"These draft regulations are designed to ensure that people work at height safely in Great Britain across all industries.

"The consultation document sets out the draft regulations and guidance and we welcome views from all those with an interest."

"We have already consulted widely with industry in drafting these regulations in an effort to get them right. But if there are any outstanding issues or concerns about the proposed regulations and guidance, now is the time to tell us."

The draft regulations bring together all existing regulations on working at height into one set of regulations and will implement the European Community Temporary Work at Height Directive.

Bill Callaghan went on to say: "If you are already working to current good practice standards and are complying with existing regulations for preventing falls, then this should be enough to also comply with the proposed new regulations."

The consultation period will run until 2 April 2004, after which time final drafting and changes will be made, based on respondents' feedback, and it is expected that final proposals will be put to ministers by late 2004.

Copies of Proposals for Work at Height Regulations, CD192 are available from the HSE website http://www.hse.gov.uk/consult/live.htm or from HSE Books tel: 01787 881165 or fax: 01787 313995

Notes to editors

1. Electronic responses to the consultation document should be sent to: Work.at.height.consultation@hse.gsi.gov.uk

2. Written responses should be sent to, or if you have any other questions, please contact:

David King or Jason Cole
Health and Safety Executive,
Work at Height & Machinery Safety Policy Branch,
Hazards and Technical Policy Directorate,
5NW Rose Court,
2 Southwark Bridge,
London,
SE1 9HS.
Tel: 020 7717 6349 (David King) or 020 7717 6329 (Jason Cole)
Fax: 020 7717 6680
E-mail: david.king@hse.gsi.gov.uk or jason.cole@hse.gsi.gov.uk

PUBLIC ENQUIRIES

: Call HSE's InfoLine, tel: 0845 345 0055, visit http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact, or write to: HSE Information Services, Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly, CF83 3GG.

PRESS ENQUIRIES relating to this press release: Journalists only

: Anita Gardner 020 7717 6918