Risks

These accident reports show common situations where falls from height occur. They illustrate that these events are usually due to poor management control rather than equipment failure.

The most common factors involve failure to:

• recognise a problem;
• provide safe systems of work;
• ensure that safe systems of work are followed;
• provide adequate information, instruction, training or supervision;
• use appropriate equipment; and
• provide safe equipment.

• Falls from ladders
• Falls from machinery
• Falls from open edges
• Falls through roof lights
• Falls through fragile roofs

The case studies below show some of the cost associated with a fall from height and benefits of working safely.

• Falls from tank container
• Case study of a low fall in a school
• Case study of a fall from a Mobile Elevated Work Platform
• Case study of a fall whilst using a stepladder
• Case study of a fall from a waste container
• Case study of low falls whilst filling tankers

Investing in different equipment can save you money in the long run as this real life example shows [323KB]

Useful information can also be found at:

• From experience - falls from height in agriculture
• From experience - construction