Falls from height remain one of the biggest workplace killers – meaning there is no excuse for an absence of guardrails on raised platforms, according to the HSE.
In a recent incident report, the HSE explains that a Warwickshire man suffered severe injuries including a brain bleed when he fell four metres from a raised platform.
The platform detached from its ladder brackets while he was installing soffits and fascias on a property, and on landing the man suffered a bleed on the brain, as well as damaging his ribs and lungs.
HSE inspector Ed Fryer said: “There is no excuse for not planning work at height properly or ensuring the appropriate safety equipment is used.
“This equipment had no guard rails to prevent a person from falling and it could have easily cost this man his life.”
He added that equipment used to work in an elevated position must be kept in good condition, to avoid the risk of such an incident from occurring due to structural failure.
“The roofing industry is well aware of the risks involved whilst working at height,” he noted.