Accidents or Injuries at Work – Falls from Height

I was walking home after dropping my children off at school when I witnessed my window cleaner falling from the top of his ladder. A sense of panic and urgency swept across me and I rushed to his immediate attention. Fortunately, on this occasion my window cleaner was extremely lucky to escape from this fall with only minor injuries, the situation could have been much worse.

Working at height is inherently dangerous, moreso if there are no adequate safety measures and/or safety precautions are not followed, however, but if appropriate care is taken by employers and employees it can be done safely. As a solicitor specialising in falls from height, I’m aware such cases are the biggest cause of fatalities on site and in the workplace accounting for 28% of all fatalities in the workplace (Source: Fatal Injuries reportable under RIDDOR, 2012/13 – 2016/17).

Even if the fall is not fatal, the injuries sustained are often serious.

The Law surrounding work at height

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 are there to help employers make working at height safer. The purpose of the Regulations is to prevent death and injury caused by a fall from height.

Employers and those in control of any work at height activity must make sure that correct training and equipment is provided, and that there is effective planning and supervision in place and that the work is supervised and carried out by competent people. Employers and those in control must first assess the risks.

The burden to take care is not only on the Employer. Employees have general legal duties to take reasonable care of themselves and others who may be affected by their actions and to co-operate to ensure safety duties and requirements are complied with.

 

What is Working at Height?

Work at height means work in any place where, if there were no precautions in place, a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury.

The most common causes of accidents and workplace death when working at height are roof work. Roof work is high risk and falls from roofs, through fragile roofs and fragile roof lights are far too common.

At Aston Knight Solicitors, local Solicitors in Bury, we have successfully secured compensation for victims of accidents or injuries at work following work at height. Our specialist team of solicitors are dedicated to helping you or your loved one receive the help and support you need following a fall from height.

Recent Success

We recently secured compensation for Mr T who sustained injury when his foot fell through the base board of scaffolding which had not been secured correctly. Mr T was climbing a ladder to gain access to a scaffold erected by his employers. Whilst stepping on to the ladder his foot fell through the base board causing him to sustain personal injury and losses.

Our specialist solicitors reviewed the available evidence on this injury at work case and identified that the scaffolding was not erected correctly and was not maintained. A system of effective planning and supervision was not in place.

We submitted a claim to the company’s insurers who in turn made an offer of £15,000, which Mr T was delighted to accept.

If you need any advice, please contact a member of our experienced team on 0800 999 6661 or email info@astonknightsolicitors.co.uk

By Emma Pearce, Solicitor.