Edge protection is an essential component in preventing falls from height on many business premises, whether they are commercial, business or industrial.
And with falls from height still high on the agenda for the Health & Safety Executive, it is apt that edge protection will remain a cornerstone of protecting employees as the organisation celebrates its 40th anniversary.
The milestone was reached at the end of July, 40 years since the HSE received royal assent in 1974, and since that time accidents and injuries in British workplaces have been dramatically reduced.
Alex Botha, chief executive of the British Safety Council, says: “This approach has been successful – we have seen an 80%-plus reduction in fatal injuries in our workplaces.”
Lawrence Waterman, trustee of the Council, added that the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act has meant the regulations have “shouted safety” for the past four decades, and that similar priority should be given to workplace health issues too.
In the meantime, edge protection remains a fundamental way to protect against the risk of falls for any elevated working position – and will continue to do its part to keep injury statistics low for the next 40 years and beyond.