New move to combat falls from height

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has joined forces with the Union of Construction Allied Trades and Technicians (UCATT) and Amicus-AEEU and the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), in a pilot project aimed at reducing fatalities and injuries due to falls from height.

Accident figures collected by the HSE since 1996 identify electrical and maintenance fitters as two groups at significant risk of death or injury due to falls from height. Some 40 per cent of fatal and major injuries accidents are experienced by electrical fitters and this is echoed by the ECA’s Joint Industry Board (JIB) figures.

The most common agent involved in falls accidents to both groups are ladders.

The joint initiative involves providing information about ladder safety and the distribution of an angle-aid card to remind ladder users about general ladder safety and how to position their ladders properly.

The notes accompanying the initiative include details of real life accidents that could have been avoided, to help people relate the circumstances to their own work and take action to avoid the risks.

Malcom Bonnett, health and safety officer for Amicus-AEEU, said, ‘If these sensible control measures are implemented prior to starting a job, the result will be fewer injuries caused by falling from height.’

If the pilot project is successful then the HSE plans to widen its application to include other unions and trade organisations in 2003.

	Sparky intro!
	Gewiss are gaining market share through aggressive pricing….are you getting the deal?
Do you have some interesting news or gossip? .