Throughout the month of October, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSE NI) have been conducting a joint safety inspection campaign targeted at the construction and farming sectors.
More specifically, this campaign's focus has been on falls from height, one of the leading causes of serious accidents and fatalities in both industries.
Falls from height in farming and construction: The statistics
Statistics published by the HSA show that over a ten-year period from 2005 to 2024, within the construction sector, there were approximately 70 fatalities on the island of Ireland which arose from individuals falling from a height. In the farming sector, during the same period of time, there were approximately 37 fatalities which resulted from height-related incidents.
These figures highlight the danger of working at height, and the importance of having robust safety procedures in place.
What do inspectors look out for during these inspections?
According to information released by the HSA and HSE NI at the beginning of the campaign, there were specific areas and regulations that would be inspected in both the construction and farming sectors. For employers in these sectors, it’s crucial to be aware of these
Construction
For construction sites where workers may work from heights, inspectors would focus on:
- Adequate risk assessments and safety planning for working at height
- Verification that workers are competent and hold valid certifications
- Safe erection, use and inspection of scaffolding and ladders
- Implementation of fall-prevention systems such as guardrails, harnesses or nets
- Availability of emergency response and rescue procedures for height-related incidents
Farming
In the context of farming, common hazards include working at roof-level, unstable stacking of materials (e.g. bales), or using ladders and older structures with fragile roofs. Inspectors have been focusing on:
- Use of safe systems of work when carrying out height-related tasks
- Proper equipment such as mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs) or secured platforms
- Safe stacking, handling and movement of materials where falls could occur
- Encouraging employers to hire competent contractors for high-risk overhead tasks
- Raising awareness around older building materials and potentially fragile roofs
How to mitigate hazards: What employers should do now
As an employer, there are several steps you can take to protect your business and your staff from the dangers of working at height.
- Review your working-at-height procedures
- Conduct an audit of your risk assessments and ensure that these are revised at least once a year, or when new equipment or business practices are introduced
- Ensure that all workers who perform high-risk tasks are trained appropriately and have the required certifications
- Ensure that all required equipment is in suitable condition and is used correctly
While this particular inspection campaign was put in place for a specified time, businesses operating within the construction and farming sectors should always ensure safety in this area. It is crucial to ensure that work is planned properly, controls are in place, and workers are sufficiently trained.
Recent Case studies
There have been several notable Health & Safety cases in recent years regarding falls from height.
One example is the Shay Murtagh (Pre-Cast) Ltd case, where a company director and Health & Safety manager were found guilty after a worker fell through a fragile roof light. In another case, a company was fined €50,000 after an employee fell from a pallet onto a forklift.
These cases demonstrate the vital importance of robust safety systems in the workplace, particularly when it comes to high-risk activities such as working at height.
The Shay Murtagh (Pre-Cast) Ltd case: What happened?
- Incident: In May 2022, an employee fell over seven meters through a fragile roof light while installing cables and was seriously injured.
- Breaches: The company, its director, and Health & Safety manager were all charged under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 for failing to implement adequate precautions like edge protection and risk assessments.
- Outcome: The company faced substantial fines, while the director and health and safety manager received penalties under the Probation Act.
Company fined for fall from height:
- Incident: A company was fined after an employee fell from a pallet onto a forklift.
- Breaches: The company pleaded guilty to failing to manage work activities to ensure the safety of employees and failing to provide a safe system of work.
- Outcome: The company was fined €50,000.