No Falls Week – Preventing Falls from Height

18^th – 22^nd May 2026 is No Falls Week. Falls from height remain the leading cause of workplace fatalities in the UK.

Latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive show:

• 35 fatalities from falls from height (2024/25) 
• 28% of all workplace deaths 
• A consistently high and increasing trend over recent years 

This is not just a construction issue — falls from height occur across:

• Warehousing 
• Maintenance work 
• Offices (e.g. access to storage, ladders) 
• Retail and facilities work 

A fall from height does not have to be far to be fatal.

What is a “Fall from Height”?

Defined under the Work at Height Regulations 2005 as any fall liable to cause personal injury, including:

• Ladders 
• Roofs 
• Fragile surfaces 
• Mezzanines 
• Vehicles 
• Work platforms 

Even a fall from less than 2 metres can result in serious injury or fatality.

Common Causes of Falls

• Incorrect use of ladders
  • Overreaching 
  • Not secured 
  • Used for long-duration tasks 
• Poor planning
  • No risk assessment 
  • No safe system of work 
  • “Quick job” mentality 
• Lack of edge protection
  • Open edges 
  • Unprotected platforms 
  • Missing guardrails 
• Fragile surfaces
  • Roof lights 
  • Old roofing materials 
• Human factors
  • Rushing 
  • Complacency 
  • Lack of training 

What should you have in place?

Work at Height Risk Assessment

You must:

• Identify where work at height occurs 
• Assess the risks 
• Implement suitable control measures 

Follow the Hierarchy of Control

1. Avoid working at height where possible 
2. Prevent falls (e.g. guardrails, platforms) 
3. Minimise consequences (e.g. fall arrest systems) 

Safe Use of Ladders  

Ladders should:

• Be used for short duration, low-risk tasks only 
• Be secured and set at correct angle 
• Be inspected before use 
• Be EN131 standard

Click here for more on the safe use of ladders from the Ladder Association. 

Use the Right Equipment

• Mobile towers 
• MEWPs (where appropriate) 
• Proper access platforms 

Not:

• Standing on chairs 
• Improvised access 

Training & Supervision

Employees should understand:

• Risks of working at height 
• Safe use of equipment 
• When to stop work if unsafe 

Inspection & Maintenance

• Regular checks of ladders and access equipment 
• Formal inspections where required 
• Defective equipment taken out of use immediately 

Why this matters

Falls from height are rarely caused by one single failure. They are usually the result of:

• Poor planning 
• Inadequate equipment 
• Unsafe behaviours becoming “normal practice” 

Addressing these factors before the job starts is what prevents incidents.

Quick Check for Your Business

• Do you know where work at height takes place? 
• Is access equipment being used appropriately? 
• Is the correct equipment always available? 
• Are staff ever taking shortcuts? 

Most falls from height are not accidents, they are predictable and preventable. Remember:

“If the job can’t be done safely at height — it shouldn’t be done at all.”