UK Sees New Record Low In Fatal Workplace Falls

Posted on 3rd Oct, 2017 | By Lorretta Tatham

While safety in the workplace will always be an ongoing issue, we’ve hit a very encouraging milestone in 2017. Recent figures issued by the British Health and Safety Executive have shown a significant decrease in fatal injuries by falling from a height, continuing a general downward trend in the rate of fatal injuries in British workplaces. So how have we got to this stage, and what does this mean for you?

A New Record For Safety

The HSE regularly releases statistics to the public that outline the details of injuries, illnesses and deaths in the workplace. In their figures for 2015/16, the number of fatal falls in the workplace numbered 37. However, for 2016/17, the number of fatal falls numbered only 25, which is a decrease of around a third. This fits in with the long-term downward trend in fatal workplace injuries in Britain over the last twenty years or so. This in itself is some reason to celebrate, as the figures suggest that we are becoming gradually more safety-conscious as a nation, and transferring that safety-consciousness to our working practices and methods. However, in the last five years or so this downward trend is levelling off, indicating that none of us can be resting on our laurels when it comes to safety.

Industry professionals echo this view, with many highlighting the figures as not only great news for the industry, but also for the general public. However, these same people have said that the focus must remain on building a positive, proactive safety culture. Behind every statistic there are devastated families and grieving friends, and even as many as 25 deaths is still too many. This is a mindset we can wholeheartedly support here at Browns Safety – we’re on a mission to minimise workplace accidents, and help you guarantee the wellbeing of your staff.

What Can You Do To Help?

It’s not easy to make meaningful change in reducing workplace injuries, whether fatal or otherwise – it takes all of us working together. The easiest way for you to help is to keep an eye on your own workforce, and make sure that safe procedure is being followed at all times.

Whenever using a ladder, you or your employees should always:

• Thoroughly inspect the ladder before use
• Maintain three points of contact at all times
• Make sure that you’re not too high on the ladder – in other words, that you’re at a safe ‘working height’
• Ensure that you’re not putting yourself under physical stress or pressure for too long – for example by doing strenuous tasks at great height
• Keep your hips inside the guardrails at all times, and don’t overreach

At Browns Ladders, we run a number of safety courses to minimise the chances of injury or illness in the workplace, including our Working At Height course, in which our trained instructors takes delegates through a number of key topics in how to maintain best practice while working at height. Call us on 01282 615517 today to book your place on one of these courses, or email us at info@brownssafetyservices.co.uk. At Browns, your safety is our priority.

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