Safety campaign under way to raise awareness about falls from heights

Common hazards for farmers include falls from ladders, unprotected roof edges, falling from or with stacked bales, and falling through fragile roof materials, particularly on farms where ageing structures are still in use.

Falls from height remain one of the leading causes of death and serious injury in construction and agriculture.

To tackle these issues, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) have launched a month-long, all-island inspection campaign.

Running throughout October, this joint initiative will see inspections taking place on construction sites and farms of all sizes across the island to reduce the number of serious injuries and fatalities linked to work at height.

On the island of Ireland, 70 fatalities have occurred in the last 10 years within the construction industry as a result of falling from a height.

Inspectors in the construction sector will focus on compliance with the legal requirements for working at height.

These areas of focus will include adequate risk assessments and safety planning, ensuring workers are trained and competent, with correct CSCS / CSR certification, safe use, erection, and inspection of scaffolding and ladders, use of fall prevention systems (guardrails, harnesses, netting), and ensuring emergency response and rescue plans are in place.

In farming, there have been 37 fatalities as a result of falling from a height in the last 10 years on the island. Common hazards include falls from ladders, unprotected roof edges, falling from or with stacked bales, and falling through fragile roof materials, particularly on farms where ageing structures are still in use.

Inspectors in the agriculture sector will focus on compliance with the legal requirements for working at height, including safe systems of work for any height-related activity, use of proper equipment such as MEWPs or secured platforms, ensuring safe stacking and handling of bales, encouraging farmers to engage competent contractors for high-risk tasks, and promoting awareness around fragile roofs and proper construction appointments.

Commenting on the launch, HSA assistant chief executive Adrienne Duff, said: “Falls are entirely preventable, and everyone deserves to return home from work safely and unharmed. This campaign aims to raise awareness and drive home the message that taking shortcuts or carrying out work without due regard to the risks involved is not an option. 

"Work must be planned and controls put in place to prevent a fall from height. 

“Working together with our colleagues in HSENI strengthens this message across the island and allows us to take a united approach to tackling the dangers of working at height,” Mr Duff added.

HSENI deputy chief executive Bryan Monson, said: “We’re proud to work alongside the HSA on this all-island campaign to shine a spotlight on the dangers of working at height. We want people to stop and think before climbing that ladder or walking onto that roof. Taking a few extra minutes to plan the job properly could save your life.”