Health & Safety

Question 1

Stats

Answer 1

Falls from height are one of the biggest causes of workplace deaths and life-limiting injuries.

British Safety Council - 40 workers lost their lives falling from height in the UK in 2023

Question 2

What are fall protection systems?

Answer 2

The name given to the group of equipment, components and systems used to arrest (stop) a fall from height and are used to protect those workers working at heights.

Include:
- Fall arrest systems (designed to protect the user after a fall and reduce the distance a worker falls e.g. harness and anchor point)
- Fall restraint systems (stop falls from happening e.g. harness & anchor point)
- Passive systems (stationary and don’t require personal equipment e.g. guardrails, netting and stairrails)
- Collective fall protection systems (protect more than one person from falling - dont require workers to wear harnesses or restrictive working lines, or any specialist training)

Question 3

UK Work at Height Regulations (2005)

Answer 3

State the minimum health and safety requirements for the use of equipment.

Question 4

What is the hierarchy of fall protection?

Answer 4

1. Eliminate the risk wherever possible
2. If it cannot be eliminated, guard the hazard (e.g. collective fall prevention measures)
3. If this is not viable, protect the worker using personal protection systems to minimise the consequences should a fall occur.