Working at height back in spotlight

The issue of ensuring construction staff are safe when working at height has been put back into the spotlight by the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) latest prosecution.

Lincolnshire-based firm Scandinavian Log Cabins has been fined and ordered to pay costs after pleading guilty to breaching regulations related to the organisation's regulations.

One of the company's employees suffered serious injuries after a ladder he fell three metres after a ladder slipped.

According to Judith McNulty-Green, an inspector for the HSE, suggested that personal protective equipment (PPE) and proper planning could have ensured the situation was avoided.

She added: 'All employers should heed this warning to ensure that they have safe systems of work in place when organising work at height. HSE will not hesitate to prosecute employers who put the safety of others at risk.'

Recent research by 3M found that health and safety managers would like more details on the use of PPE.


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