Throughout June and July 2007 HSE Construction Division Inspectors will aim to carry out over 1,000 targeted site inspections nationally looking at the issues of low falls and good order.

We will be checking to see if you are:

• Getting it right when working at height.
• Keeping your site in good order.

Reducing trips and falls is a priority

Falls continue to be the biggest cause of fatal injury in Britain’s workplaces, with 24 of the 59 worker deaths in construction in 2005/06 resulting from a fall from height. Unfortunately, this pattern continued in 2006/07. On top of this, over 4,000 major injuries such as broken bones or fractured skulls are reported to HSE each year by the construction industry. Over half of these serious injuries involve falls from height or from tripping over materials on walkways and are easily preventable.

Trips and falls in construction 2007 continues HSE's enforcement led inspection activity and follows on from the Fit Out Campaign in 2005 and the Watch Your Step initiative in 2006. Reducing the number of injuries and deaths from falls and trips is a priority for HSE to help the construction industry meet its accident target by 2010, and more importantly to help prevent the devastating effect these kinds of accidents have on the lives of workers and their families.

Sensible Approach

The number of accidents can be reduced by taking a sensible approach:

• Plan and organise work properly.
• Make sure that people involved in work at height are competent.
• Select and use the right equipment.
• Keep walkways on site clear of obstructions.