Why is Working at Height ‘The Most Dangerous Construction Activity’?

A shot from below of skyscrapers disappearing into fog.

It’s safe to say that most people are aware that if you fall from a building, the likelihood is that you’re going to hurt yourself. So why is it that in the workplace the accident statistics for falling from height are still so high? In 2020 and 2021 falls from height continue to be the […]

Week Commencing 09/08/2021 – In The News

Dead trees in a desert

IPCC Report Casts Somber Outlook on Global Warming A report released this week by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has said that human activity is changing the climate in unprecedented and sometimes irreversible ways. The landmark study warns of increasingly extreme heatwaves, droughts and flooding, and temperature limits agreed under the Paris […]

Week Commencing 02/08/2021 – In The News

Working at Height Safety Failings Lead to Costly Fine A Worcester-based construction company has been fined for failing to comply with work at height regulations after a worker fell from a garage roof. On 4 February 2020, the worker had accessed the roof using a ladder and was working on his knees with his side […]

Week Commencing 19/07/2021 – In The News

The sun shining brightly in the sky among clouds.

£30K Fine For Company After Worker Injured by Forklift Truck A facility services company operating at Winchester prison has been fined after a worker suffered a broken leg when he was struck by a forklift truck (FLT). On 23 May 2019, the Gov Facility Services Limited employee was carrying out inspections of drain covers adjacent […]

Week Commencing 12/07/2021 – In The News

A person crossing the street by a zebra crossing.

Gang Behind Huge Cyber-Attack Demands $70m in Bitcoin Cyber attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, as shown by a massive attack led by a gang last week which affected 200 firms. The REvil group claims its malware, which initially targeted US IT firm Kaseya, has hit one million “systems”. This number has not been verified and […]

Week Commencing 05/07/2021 – In The News

The inside of a railway station

Elephant & Castle Fire: Safety Fears About Railway Arches Raised Two Years Ago Safety concerns about railway arches were raised in a safety report two years before last week’s fire near Elephant & Castle station in south London. Around 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines tackled the “serious” blaze, with London Fire Brigade confirming that three […]

Week Commencing 28/06/2021 – In The News

Cutting wood with a saw.

Serious Mitre Saw Injury Leads to £21K Fine for Construction Company A construction company has been fined after a worker’s hand was severed by an inadequately guarded mitre saw on a construction site in Bolney, Sussex. On the 9th January 2019, a worker installing skirting board in a new build house was using a powered […]

Week Commencing 21/06/2021 – In The News

A ladder resting against a wooden surface, with its shadow reflected upon it in, in black and white.

Foundry Fined After Workers Exposed to Lead Dust A foundry has been sentenced to safety breaches after workers were exposed to harmful lead dust during the repair and refurbishment of church bells at St Peter’s church in Barton-Upon-Humber. On 20th March 2019, part of the planned maintenance project involved stripping off rust and old paint […]

Week Commencing 14/06/2021 – In The News

A man completing work in a factory with protective gloves on.

Plastics Manufacturer Fined After Worker was Asphyxiated Printed plastics manufacturer Alfaplas Limited has been fined after a worker became unconscious as a result of asphyxiation when his tabard was entangled in the rotating spindle of a print machine. On 29 January 2019, an employee who was a supervisor at the company attempted to realign a […]

Week Commencing 24/05/2021 – In The News

An excavator on site.

Construction Firm Fined After Workers Exposed to Asbestos A construction company has been fined after workers were exposed to asbestos whilst refurbishing a flat in St John’s Wood, Westminster. Between 14 May and 31 August 2018, ASAI Construction Ltd, the Principal Contractor for the project, failed to obtain a Refurbishment and Demolition asbestos survey prior […]