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As Britain continues to find itself at political loggerheads over Brexit, there’s often little movement in other departments. One political debate that has gone on even longer than Brexit is the need for a change to height dangers at work. MPs are demanding that a major review of the regulations takes place sooner rather than later. This is in a bid to try and reduce health-related deaths and injuries caused in the workplace.
This has been pushed by the All-Party Parliamentary Group, or APPG, on Working Height. Their latest report shows that the government, and the industry as a whole, needs to address worrying signs in the culture of working at height.
Titled Staying Alive: Preventing Serious Injury and Fatalities while Working at Height, the report has been part of a 12-month enquiry. It’s been a topic often discussed both in government and across the industry for some time. Put simply: something has to be done. This new report showed that around 18% of people who die at work will die due to a fall relating to height. They also want to look at trying to close up these shocking numbers, reducing injury and death at work for those working at height.
At present, there is a four-point plan that is being suggested by the APPG group. In the report, they make four significant recommendations:
1. A new reporting system to be brought in through RIDDOR. This would offer better clarity on the reasons for height-related injuries/deaths, improving long-term prevention.
2. A new independent body to allow for confidential reporting of all incidents and near-misses. This would then be shared with the government and used to help refine long-term policy.
3. The Working Well Together programme to be extended further, as well as the Working Well at Height programme and safety campaign to be given more prominence moving forward.
4. A system akin to the Fatal Accidental Inquiry which took place in Scotland to be produced for the rest of the United Kingdom to help inform debate and improve standards.
The Chair of the APPG Group, Alison Thewliss, said: '"very fall from a height can have life-altering consequences for workers and their families. There is an urgent need to improve work at height culture, yet this issue is sadly not at the top of decision-makers’ agenda."
“A lack of empirical data prevents us from understanding the root causes of falls from height. This is compounded by a cultural obstacle when it comes to supporting people to report unsafe practices.
“We have made comprehensive recommendations to government, but the APPG’s work does not stop here. Our report must be the first step in a wider process of systematic and cultural change. It is now time for policy-makers to act.”
With further discussion for more change to come, it’s expected that there will be a major review of the systems presently in place. From how to deal with difficult to access location to implementing new financial penalties for a failure to improve standards. Expect this topic to become a common discussion in and out of parliament in the weeks, months and perhaps years to come.