Working from height remains to be the biggest cause of fatalities and major injuries in the workplace each year
Working at Height means that you are:
· Working above ground level
· Could fall from an edge or through a fragile surface or opening
· Could fall from ground level into an opening, such as basements and manholes
Workplace Accidents
A total of 144 workplace accidents resulted in fatalities in 2018 as recorded by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) with 35 of these accidents being caused by falling from heights.
Under the Health and Safety at Work act (1974) and the Management of Health and Safety at work Regulations
(1999) employers have a legal obligation to keep you safe at work and should do everything they can to ensure
Your well-being, However accidents at work do happen, and they can have life changing consequences.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Britain’s National regulator for workplace Health and Safety, published its latest figures which suggest that the most severe accidents happen to those working at heights – such as construction workers, window cleaners, architects and warehouse operatives.
With sanctions put in place, such as the Work at Height Regulations 2005/07 to protect those working from height, Workers should be confident that they can go about their daily jobs without worrying about their safety, however many employees often don’t receive vital training or aren’t provided with adequate safety equipment, such as harnesses or secure platforms to work from putting employees in danger of tragic accidents. Employers have a duty of care to their employees to ensure that risk assessments are carried out prior to you having to work from height, whether it’s working on the roof of a building to using a stepladder to get something from a high shelf at work. Both you and your employer should be satisfied that you are competent to work from height before expecting you to undertake work and you have the right to refuse to undertake work that you think is unsafe.
Falling From a Height
Falling from a height can be extremely frightening and may have life changing consequences, affecting both your physical and mental health. It can have a huge impact on both your own, and on your family’s wellbeing. If you or a member of your family have been injured from a fall from height in the workplace in the past three years, Acclaim legal services can help, our expert personal injury lawyers, have over 30 years’ experience, and can get you the compensation that you deserve, whether it’s to cover costs for medical care and support, loss of earnings, necessary adaptations to the home, or towards funeral costs.
Call Acclaim Legal Services
Call one of our friendly legal experts today on 01244956434 or email info@acclaimls.co.uk for informal advice about your case. All cases will be treated confidentially.