WorkSafe is putting employers on notice they must address fall hazards after 41 workers deaths and 7,395 serious fall-related injuries over the past five years.
Falls from heights continue to be one of the leading causes of work-related death and injuries with recent incidents that include falls from roofs, a jockey falling from a horse, and a worker falling at a school.
The consequences can be devastating, leading to lifelong injuries and loss of life. WorkSafe is urging employers to prioritize safety measures, emphasizing that shortcuts should never be taken when working at heights.
Construction work poses the highest risk for falls, accounting for the majority of fatal falls, including falls from roofs, stairwell voids, ladders, and scaffolding. Construction workers also accounted for a significant portion of fall injury claims.
Falls can of course occur across various industries, with steps and stairways and ladders being common risk factors.
Find guidance on eliminating risks here.