09 November 2005

Dangers of working at heights targeted by councils

Environmental health officers from councils across Northern Ireland have begun taking part in a Province-wide campaign aimed at reducing falls from height in local workplaces.

Against a background of 67 fatal accidents at work and nearly 4,000 major injuries in a 12 month period, the current campaign is being supported by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI).

Valerie Brown, Environmental Health Manager with Belfast City Council, said: “Working at heights continues to be the single biggest cause of fatal accidents and one of the main causes of major injuries – and the main cause of all injuries from falls from height is people falling from ladders."

The Northern Ireland version of the new Work at Height Regulations came into operation in July. These regulations impose a new duty on employers to do all that is reasonably practical to prevent anyone falling whilst at work.

Businesses in the Belfast City Council area can obtain advice and information on the new Regulations by contacting the Health and Safety Unit on 028 9027 0428.

Businesses outside Belfast should contact the relevant local council.

(MB/SP)