The Edge of Danger: Safe Working At Heights

We must have a serious conversation about falls from height. It’s a persistent danger that has led to life-altering injuries and tragic fatalities on Irish work sites. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has made it clear: falls from height remain a leading cause of death and serious injury in the Irish workplace.

The statistics are a stark warning. In 2024, there were 33 work-related fatalities in total, and 5 of those were caused by falls from height. This is more than a number—it represents a profound loss, a devastated team of colleagues, and a cascade of legal and reputational fallout for the businesses involved.

Lessons from the Courtroom: The Real-World Consequences

The €50,000 Fine:

A company was fined €50,000 after an employee sustained serious injuries in a fall. The cause was an unsafe practice where the worker stood on a wooden pallet being lifted by a forklift. This was a predictable outcome of a flawed work method.

Personal Accountability:

In another case, both a company director and a health and safety manager were personally convicted of safety breaches. The incident involved a worker falling through a fragile roof light, resulting in severe injuries. The court’s decision sent a message that the duty of care is a personal responsibility.

A Failure at Every Level:

These verdicts highlight that a failure in safety is a failure for the employee on the ladder, the client who owns the site, and the management responsible for ensuring a safe working environment.

From Risk to Resilience: Building a Culture of Safety

The only effective defence against these risks is a proactive, deeply embedded culture of safety. It requires moving beyond mere compliance to a state of constant vigilance. This involves:

Meticulous Risk Assessments: Identifying and mitigating every potential fall hazard before work begins.

Robust Safe Work Plans: Implementing clear, practical, and enforced procedures for all work at height.

The Right Equipment: Ensuring the provision, maintenance, and correct use of all necessary gear, from scaffolding and MEWPs to harnesses and fall arrest systems.

Vigilant Supervision: Active oversight to guarantee that safety protocols are being followed without exception.

Continuous Training: Empowering every team member with the up-to-date knowledge they need to work safely and confidently.

Make Safety Training Simple and Effective

We understand that managing comprehensive training across a busy team can be a major logistical challenge. That’s where EazySAFE provides a powerful solution. Our platform is designed to make essential health and safety training accessible, engaging, and easy to manage. This “Working at Height” module can be completed anytime, anywhere, minimising disruption to your projects. Content from our courses is aligned with the latest HSA legislation and industry best practices, and our dashboard allows you to track compliance effortlessly.

Summary

The only effective defence against the risk of falls is a proactive, deeply embedded culture of safety. It requires moving beyond mere compliance to a state of constant vigilance. Don’t wait for a near-miss, an inspector’s visit, or a tragedy to highlight a gap in your safety procedures. By integrating a solution like EazySAFE’s online training, companies can standardise their approach, enforce compliance consistently, and protect their people, clients, and business.

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