Preventing falls from height

The HSE has launched a "Don't fall for it" campaign to highlight the danger from falls from height on construction sites.

The initiative involves a blitz by inspectors on sites and a national advertising campaign. It comes after the recent deaths of 14 building workers in six weeks - including six over the May Day bank holiday weekend.

Construction union UCATT general secretary George Brumwell said: "These deaths are a stark reminder that despite a plethora of glossy policy statements and discussion documents, much more needs to be done to address the failures that have contributed to these tragedies. It has been well documented over many years that working at height and accidents related to moving machinery put construction workers at the greatest risk. Two thirds of these fatalities were as a result of these hazards, which shows that the lessons have still not been learnt."

More information from: www.hse.gov.uk/campaigns/cons_safety/main.htm or phone 08457 181819 for a Falls from height action pack, video and a poster.