Falls from height
The most common type of accident on building and construction sites are falls from height. In 2007, 45 workers died as a result of a fall from height and 3750 workers were seriously injured.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 are in place to help prevent deaths and injuries caused by falls at work. The Regulations place a duty on employers, the self employed and any person who controls the work of others to do all that is possible to prevent falls.
The Regulations require that:
- work from a height is planned properly
- those working from a height are trained and are competent
- that all work takes account of the weather conditions which could cause danger
- the place that work at height is done at is safe
- equipment used for working at height is inspected; and
- the risks from fragile surfaces and from falling objects are properly controlled.
Working from height is a wide term and can mean working from scaffolding on a building site or using a ladder to paint the side of a house. Employers have a duty to ensure that their employees only work from height if absolutely necessary and if it can be avoided, it should be. If it is unavoidable, they need to supply suitable work equipment to make working from height as safe as possible.
The injuries that can result from a fall from height can be severe. Our specialist personal injury solicitors have experience of dealing with serious injuries such as head injury, spinal injury,paralysis and multiple and complex fractures. If you have suffered any type of injury it is important to instruct an experienced solicitor to handle your claim to ensure that you receive the correct level of compensation.
Fall at work fractures builders back
Richard was working on some staging which gave way and Richard fell 15 ft fracturing his back. Read Richard's story
Fall from unsecured scaffolding
Gary severely injured his back after he fell from mobile scaffolding. Read Gary's story
If you would like to seek expert legal advice relating to this case study or any other injury claim please complete the online enquiry form or call 0800 915 4650.
