HSE INSPECTIONS – THE EYE OF THE STORM!

---

Following a safety campaign by the Health and Safety Executive during the summer of 2007 aimed at the construction industry, inspectors will soon be turning their attention to the hazards of falling from stationary vehicles over the autumn period.  Those businesses whose activities involve both of these areas will view September as a period of relative tranquillity between spells of intense focus by the HSE who are tasked with reversing the rising trend of injuries and fatalities at work.

The majority of falls from vehicles occur at low height (less than 10% of falls are from a height greater that 2 metres), yet an average of five workers per year die from such falls.

‘So what can I do?’  The following control hierarchy may help:

1. Avoid the need to work at height wherever possible.

2. Look at the possibilities of using platforms with suitable edge protection.

3. Use airbags, netting or other equipment designed to mitigate the effect of any fall.

4. Use safe systems of work, based on training and monitor activity closely.