Construction continues to be one of the most hazardous sectors in terms of workplace safety, with working at height being a primary cause of accidents, including serious injuries and deaths. Over the past decade (2014-2023), 93 fatalities occurred in the construction industry, and 60% of these were attributed to falls from height.
In 2023 alone, the HSA reported 10 fatalities in the construction sector, 7 of which resulted from falls from height. This year, there have already been 4 work-related fatalities, with 2 stemming from falls.
The HSA is determined to ensure that both employers and employees take the necessary precautions to safeguard themselves while working in such high-risk environments. The nationwide inspection campaign is a crucial step towards improving safety standards and preventing future tragedies.
Key Focus Areas of the Inspection Campaign:
1. Risk Assessments and Safety Planning Inspectors will check that construction companies have carried out thorough risk assessments and that appropriate safety measures are in place before work at height is undertaken. This includes assessing the stability of structures, equipment, and scaffolding.
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2. Training and Competence of Workers One of the primary objectives of the campaign is to verify that all workers are adequately trained to perform their tasks safely, especially when working at height. Employers must ensure that only competent personnel are allowed to engage in such activities.
3. Use of Fall Prevention Equipment Inspectors will assess the use of fall prevention systems, such as guardrails, safety harnesses, and netting. Proper maintenance and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) will also be closely examined.
4. Ladder and Scaffolding Safety The correct use, erection, and inspection of scaffolding and ladders will be a central focus. Inspectors will check that all scaffolds are stable and have been inspected by a competent person and that ladders are used safely and appropriately.
5. Emergency Preparedness The HSA will ensure that employers have robust emergency response procedures in place, including clear rescue plans in the event of a fall or incident.
Speaking about the campaign, Joan Flynn, Senior Inspector, HSA, said: "The safety and well-being of workers is our top priority. Falls from height remain one of the most preventable yet fatal risks in the construction industry. Our goal with this inspection campaign is to reduce these risks by ensuring strict adherence to safety regulations and promoting a culture of proactive safety management on construction sites. We urge all employers to take this issue seriously and provide workers with the necessary training, equipment, and support to perform their jobs safely."
The construction campaign also coincides with European Week for Safety and Health at Work which will see an emphasis on musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and ergonomics. Although MSDs are preventable, they remain the most common work-related health problem in Europe with the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) reporting that 3 in every 5 workers in the EU report MSD complaints in the back, upper limbs and/or lower limbs.
Frank Power, Ergonomist and Inspector at the HSA, said, "Manual handling of heavy loads in construction can result in worker exposure to excessive compressive force on the back and awkward postures and increases the risk of musculoskeletal injury. Employers need to assess such manual handling work activities and put appropriate measures in place such as the use of mechanical aids to mitigate the risk of injury. I would advise all employers and self-employed in the construction sector to utilise the free HSA resources available to them to make the improvements needed in their workplaces."
