Falls from Height in Construction - Significant Decline in Investigations

Recent data has revealed a marked decrease in the number of investigations conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into falls from height within the construction industry. This trend has raised concerns among industry professionals and safety organisations.

Decline in Falls from Height Investigations

Information obtained by Construction News through the Freedom of Information Act shows that HSE investigations into falls from height in construction have dropped significantly. In 2023, there were 107 investigations, down from 177 in 2016 and 211 in 2017. Despite this decline in investigations, the number of fatal incidents related to falls from height has remained relatively stable, indicating that the risk associated with working at height continues to be a serious issue.

Resource Constraints and Impact

Prospect, the union representing HSE inspectors, attributes the reduction in investigations to a decrease in the number of available inspectors. The number of main grade inspectors—those responsible for conducting the majority of inspections—has fallen from 962 in 2003 to 617 in 2023. This decrease in personnel has led to a significant number of investigations being deferred due to a "lack of resources." In 2023, 659 investigations of various types were shelved, compared to just four in 2015.

Sue Ferns, Senior Deputy General Secretary of Prospect, has noted that the decline in inspections and investigations could potentially allow safety breaches to go unaddressed, thereby impacting workplace safety and justice for accident victims.

Industry Reactions

Peter Bennett, Chair of the No Falls Foundation and the Access Industry Forum, has expressed concern over the ongoing reduction in HSE investigations. Bennett emphasised that falls from height can have severe consequences, even when non-fatal, often leaving individuals unable to return to work. He pointed out that the decline in investigations, potentially due to budget constraints, could lead to a situation where some companies might not be held accountable for safety violations, thereby increasing the risk to workers.

Bennett and other industry figures have called for reforms to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) process, advocating for more detailed data collection on incidents. This, they believe, would enable the industry to address the root causes of accidents more effectively and implement preventative measures, thereby reducing the burden on the HSE.

HSE’s Position

In response, an HSE spokesperson has stated that the organisation remains committed to construction safety and does not accept the suggestion that it is deprioritising this area. The spokesperson highlighted that HSE’s guidance on working at height is well-established and accessible, and that the organisation targets its inspection efforts based on intelligence, focusing on sectors with the highest risks.

The HSE also noted that inspections and investigations are only part of its broader strategy to improve health and safety. The organisation also seeks to influence industry practices and provides guidance to promote safety across sectors.

Conclusion

The reduction in HSE investigations into falls from height in the construction industry has prompted concerns regarding workplace safety and regulatory oversight. As the sector continues to navigate these challenges, there is an ongoing discussion about the need for reforms and enhanced data collection to better address and prevent incidents involving falls from height.

The blog post 'Falls from Height in Construction - Significant Decline in Investigations' first appeared on www.search-recruitment.co.uk. Search² are a health and safety recruitment agency in the UK.