Safety blitz bid to cut killer falls

Date article online: 05/06/2006

Falling from high places is the biggest cause of death and serious injury in workplaces nationwide. That’s why health and safety inspectors working for Rochdale Council are taking part in a national campaign to prevent such accidents.

During 2004/5 falls at work nationwide left 53 dead and 3,800 seriously injured.  That’s an average of one person killed and more than 70 seriously hurt every week.

In the Rochdale Borough there were 52 reported falls, including two fatal accidents.  In the whole of Greater Manchester, the figures were 480 falls, resulting in nine deaths. 

Rochdale Council’s health and safety inspectors are now focussing attention on businesses in an attempt to prevent these workplace accidents.  

Their efforts are part of a national campaign in partnership with the Health amp; Safety Executive to raise awareness of the dangers associated with working at height and the precautions that should be taken by employers, employees and contractors alike.  

Officers will be visiting businesses throughout the Borough in an attempt to promote good working practices.  There will be a range of activities to reach workers who may be at risk of falling from height.

Almost every employer will undertake or require contractors to undertake work at height.  Activities such as maintenance, decorating, window cleaning and even what may seem like a simple task of changing a light bulb could be putting lives at risk.  Employers, facilities managers, landlords, estate and building managers and housing associations, for example, all have a role in preventing falls from height. 

Gary Parkinson, a Senior Environmental Health Officer for Rochdale Council, said: "The main objective of the initiative is to increase awareness of the precautions needed for working at height.

"We aim to influence the attitudes of employers and people responsible for procuring work.  We will be looking at ladders, other high level access equipment, fragile surfaces and roof work, and checking arrangements for using contractors.  Where appropriate, enforcement action will be taken if unsafe equipment, practices or arrangements are identified.

"We are also aimimg to promote the key messages through a "point of sale’ initiative, where information will be made available direct to customers visiting builders’ merchants and other retail outlets.

For more information about preventing falls from height, contact the Council on 01706 924255 or visit www.hse.gov.uk/falls