Falls from height are the most common kind of accident causing fatal injuries. The latest figures for the period 2012 to 2017 and reported in the HSE document entitled Kinds of Accident states that during this period, the most common fatal injuries to 28% of workers were caused by falls from heights.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 are several sets of regulations that are relevant to the use of work platforms.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005, apply to all work at height where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury. The regulations place duties on employers, the self employed and any person who controls the work of others. This would include facilities managers and building owners who may contract others to work at height.
What is work at height?
A place is “at height” if a person could be injured falling from it, even if it is at or below ground level. The overriding principle** for all employers, the self employed and any person who controls the work of others, is to do all that is reasonably practicable to prevent anyone falling.
** Work at Height Regulations 2005