Whether you agree with health and safety or not, we live and work in a world full of rules and regulations. Working at height potentially poses a risk to health and safety and this is why the Government introduced the Work at Height Regulations, which came into force on the 6th April 2005. The regulations apply to all working at height instances where there is a risk of a fall that is liable to cause personal injury.
It is clear why the Government decided that more regulation in the area was necessary. According to statistics posted on the Health and Safety Executive website, falls from heights accounted for 46 fatal work accidents and around 3,350 major injuries in 2005/06. It was said at the time that falls from heights was the single biggest cause of workplace deaths and one of the main causes of major injury. As the statistics suggest, if you fall from height we are generally talking about serious injury or death. Obviously not all falls from height will lead to serious injury; it will depend on the height in question and the circumstances of the particular case. Injuries could be relatively minor but if you have sustained injury which was not your fault, it is still your right to claim.
The regulations themselves cover a wide range of areas including means of accessing the high place of work, guard rails, toe boards, barriers and other protection, working platforms etc. The regulations also provide assistance in terms of correct procedures for risk assessments, fall protection systems, the use of ladders and inspection procedures. Note that these regulations do not cover activities of recreational climbing with an instructor for example.
Working at height can be a frightening experience. It can also be dangerous if the correct procedures and regulations are not followed. Planning is often key as the employer needs to think what equipment is required for the job and how that equipment will be transported to the place of work. If something goes wrong whilst you are working at height the potential consequences are likely to be greater than if you were working on the ground. Extra caution and planning is needed.
If you have sustained injury in a fall from height then you may be eligible to claim compensation. We can assess your claim for free so there is nothing to lose in making an enquiry. We deal with all types of personal injury claims in a professional, efficient manner.
