Jun 14 2006
The HSE and Lichfield District Council is hosting two safety events in Lichfield targeted at those working in the building and construction trades on Monday 19 June and Tuesday 27 June.
Walter Tipper Builders Merchants in Lichfield will be the venue for two drop-in sessions aimed at raising awareness of key health and safety issues concerning those working at height in the building and construction trades. Both events will run from 7:30am-1:00pm with free refreshments including bacon sandwiches.
Recent HSE statistics show that 59% of major injuries suffered by employees due to falling from height were as a result of falling from a height below head height. In 2004-5 in the Lichfield area there were 15 fall from height injuries overall.
HSE principal inspector Harvey Wild said:
"Falls from heights below head height can cause serious harm. For workers, it could mean a fatal or major injury. Employers need to consider that falls are expensive and can seriously affect their business, with the loss of skilled labour and impact on their customers. It is important to remember that workers are still working at height, even if they are working below head height. Falls are preventable if people plan work properly, assess the risks, choose the right equipment and if competent people carry it out.
"These events are aimed at the self-employed and small firms in building and construction who tend to work for short periods of time on each site such as electricians, plumbers, painters and decorators. They are events for the industry, by the industry."