Safety whilst Working at Height

Message from Our Director, Darren Goble.

Dear Valued Clients,

As we bid farewell to the past year and welcome the new one, we at Hurst Setter & Associates Ltd would like to extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones for a Happy New Year.

We are grateful for the trust you have placed in us and for the opportunity to work together on your construction projects. Your support and collaboration have been instrumental in our success, and we look forward to continuing our partnership in the years to come.

In the new year, we are excited to embark on new challenges, innovate, and deliver exceptional results that meet and exceed your expectations. Our commitment to quality, safety, and customer satisfaction remains unwavering, and we are eager to help you bring your vision to life.

Here’s to a year filled with prosperity, growth, and successful projects. Thank you once again for your continued support.

Warm regards,

Darren Goble

 

A roofing firm has been fined while its director has been handed a suspended prison sentence after putting the lives of workers at risk during a roof renovation in Surrey.

Weather Master Roofing Limited and company director Jack Avanzo, also known as Jack Avenzo, were sentenced at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Monday following a prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The HSE investigation found workers were seen operating without any scaffolding or edge protection on the roof of a house on Flint Hill, Dorking, on 21 February 2023. This put the workers at risk of falling from height, while there were also no measures to mitigate a fall, with the likes of harnesses not being used. Workers were also observed using the lights from their phones and torches while working on the property at night.

Figure 1 – The workers had been renovating the roof of a property in Surrey.

Figure 2 – Workers were observed using the lights from their phones and torches at night.

 

The group were working under the control of Weather Master Roofing Limited and Mr Avanzo, 20.

HSE subsequently served Weather Master Roofing Limited with an Improvement Notice on 28 February 2023. The notice required the company to improve how it planned, carried out, supervised and monitored the work that was taking place on the roof.

The company failed to comply with the notice. HSE has clear guidance on its website about how to plan and carry work at height out safety, including the preventative measures required.

During a sentencing hearing at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on 2 December 2024:

Weather Master Roofing Limited, of Muswell Hill, Broadway, London, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, Section 33(1)(c) and Section 33(1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £4,000 and ordered to pay £1,500 in costs as well as a victim surcharge of £1,600.

Jack Avanzo, of Ballyspillane, Killarney, County Kerry, Republic of Ireland, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, Section 33(1)(c) and Section 33(1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. He was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and disqualified from being a director for three years. He was also ordered to pay £1,500 in costs.

HSE inspector Stephanie Hickford-Smith said:

“Falls from height are still the single biggest cause of work-related deaths in Great Britain. The law is clear – suitable and sufficient measures must be taken to prevent, where reasonably practicable, any person falling a distance liable to cause personal injury.”

This prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Iain Jordan and supported by HSE paralegal officer Rebecca Forman.

 

Working at Heights

Working at height remains one of the most significant risks in the construction industry, accounting for a substantial number of fatalities and serious injuries each year. This newsletter aims to highlight the key safety measures, regulations, and best practices to ensure safe working at height.

Key Regulations and Guidelines

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 are the primary legal framework governing work at height activities. These regulations mandate that employers and those in control of work at height must ensure that all such work is properly planned, supervised, and carried out by competent individuals.

Regulation 4(1): Employers must ensure that all work at height is properly planned, supervised, and carried out by competent persons.

HSE Guidance: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides detailed guidance on its website about how to plan and carry out work at height safely, including the preventative measures required.

Hierarchy of Control Measures

When working at height, the following hierarchy should be followed:

• Avoid Work at Height: Where possible, avoid work at height altogether.
• Prevent Falls: Use fixed means of access such as scaffolding, working platforms, or mobile elevating working platforms to prevent falls.
• Fall Restraint: Implement measures to make it difficult or impossible to fall, such as guard rails.
• Fall Arrest: If a fall may still occur, use equipment to stop the fall as quickly and safely as possible, such as fall arrest systems.

Risk Assessment and Planning

Risk assessment is a critical component of safe working at height. Employers must assess the risks from work at height and plan the work to ensure it is carried out safely. This includes:

• Identifying potential hazards such as fragile surfaces, roof edges, and unstable ladders.
• Developing method statements to communicate the necessary precautions to all involved.
• Ensuring that all work is planned, organised, and carried out by competent persons.

Training and Competence

Adequate training is essential for mitigating risks when working at height. Ensure that all employees involved in work at height activities are fully trained and competent. This includes training in the use of equipment, risk assessment, and emergency procedures. Under the regulations, anyone being trained must be supervised by a competent person.

Equipment Inspection and Maintenance

All equipment used for work at height must be properly inspected and maintained. This includes:

• Ladders: Ensure they are fit for purpose, of industrial grade spec, used for minimal durations (<30 minutes), and regularly inspected. Use a ladder tag system if required.
• Scaffolding: Erect and periodically (min of every 7 days) inspect scaffolds by a competent person.
• Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs): Use on level, firm ground, with a trained operator at ground level, and ensure the platform is within safe working limits, operators must have the correct competency for the type being used.

Safety Precautions

Ladders

• Use ladders only for access or work of short duration.
• Erect ladders at the correct angle (4 up to 1 out) and secure them, preferably at the top or footed.
• Position ladders close to the work to avoid over-reaching and protect the base to prevent vehicles or pedestrians from bumping into them.
• Ladders must extend 1m or 4 rungs above any step off

Fragile Surfaces

• Take precautions when working on or near fragile surfaces such as roofs and roof lights.
• Display prominent signs and restrict access to areas where fragile surfaces are present.

Weather Conditions

Ensure that weather conditions are safe for working at height. Avoid working in adverse weather such as strong winds, rain, or ice.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Ensure workers below the work area wear PPE, including hard hats, to protect against dropped items.

Emergency Procedures

• Develop a plan for dealing with emergencies and rescues.
• Ensure that all workers understand the emergency evacuation procedures and are trained in their implementation.

Case Studies and Consequences

Recent cases highlight the severe consequences of neglecting safety protocols when working at height. For example, a construction company was fined £200,000 for breaching health and safety laws after an 81-year-old man fell to his death due to an unguarded hole left by the company.

 

Conclusion

Working at height is a high-risk activity that demands meticulous planning, risk assessment, and adherence to safety regulations. By following the hierarchy of control measures, ensuring adequate training and competence, and maintaining proper equipment, we can significantly reduce the risks associated with work at height. Remember, safety is everyone’s responsibility, and collective efforts are crucial in preventing fatalities and serious injuries.

Display prominent signs and restrict access to areas where fragile surfaces are present. Prominent signs and restrict access to areas where fragile surfaces are present. Use appropriate PPE such as hard hats, non-slip footwear, and fall arrest/restraint systems.

Useful Resources

• Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Guidance: For detailed guidance on working at height regulations and best practices.
• Work at Height Regulations 2005: The primary legal framework governing work at height activities.
• Method Statements and Risk Assessments: Tools to help manage and communicate the necessary precautions for work at height.