HSA launches inspection campaign on construction sites to address dangers of working at height and ergonomics

Monday 21st October

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has today launched a nationwide inspection campaign focused on the dangers associated with working at height on construction sites. The campaign, which will run for two weeks, aims to promote compliance with safety regulations and reduce the number of accidents and fatalities related to working at height and ergonomics.

Construction remains one of the most high-risk industries in which to work and working at height is consistently one of the leading causes of workplace accidents, including serious injuries and deaths.

• In the ten-year period 2014 – 2023, there were 93 fatalities in the construction industry and falls from height accounted for 60% of these.
• In 2023 the HSA reported 10 fatalities in the construction sector, with 7 resulting from falls from height.  
• So far in 2024 there have been 4 reported work-related fatalities in the construction sector, 2 of these resulted from falls from height.

The HSA is committed to ensuring that employers and employees alike take the necessary precautions to protect themselves when working in such dangerous conditions.

Key Focus Areas of the Inspection Campaign:

1. Risk Assessments and Safety Planning Inspectors will check that construction companies have carried out thorough risk assessments and that appropriate safety measures are in place before work at height is undertaken. This includes assessing the stability of structures, equipment, and scaffolding.
2. Training and Competence of Workers One of the primary objectives of the campaign is to verify that all workers are adequately trained to perform their tasks safely, especially when working at height. Employers must ensure that only competent personnel are allowed to engage in such activities.
3. Use of Fall Prevention Equipment Inspectors will assess the use of fall prevention systems, such as guardrails, safety harnesses, and netting. Proper maintenance and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) will also be closely examined.
4. Ladder and Scaffolding Safety The correct use, erection, and inspection of scaffolding and ladders will be a central focus. Inspectors will check that all scaffolds are stable and have been inspected by a competent person and that ladders are used safely and appropriately.
5. Emergency Preparedness The HSA will ensure that employers have robust emergency response procedures in place, including clear rescue plans in the event of a fall or incident.

Speaking about the campaign, Joan Flynn, Senior Inspector, HSA, said

"The safety and well-being of workers is our top priority. Falls from height remain one of the most preventable yet fatal risks in the construction industry. Our goal with this inspection campaign is to reduce these risks by ensuring strict adherence to safety regulations and promoting a culture of proactive safety management on construction sites. We urge all employers to take this issue seriously and provide workers with the necessary training, equipment, and support to perform their jobs safely."

The construction campaign also coincides with European Week for Safety and Health at Work which will see an emphasis on musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and ergonomics. Although MSDs are preventable, they remain the most common work-related health problem in Europe with the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) reporting that 3 in every 5 workers in the EU report MSD complaints in the back, upper limbs and/or lower limbs.

Frank Power, Ergonomist and Inspector at the HSA, said,

"Manual handling of heavy loads in construction can result in worker exposure to excessive compressive force on the back and awkward postures and increases the risk of musculoskeletal injury. Employers need to assess such manual handling work activities and put appropriate measures in place such as the use of mechanical aids to mitigate the risk of injury.   I would advise all employers and self-employed in the construction sector to utilise the free HSA resources available to them to make the improvements needed in their workplaces.” 

Get Informed and Stay Safe

HSA resources for employers and self-employed in the construction sector include:

• BeSMART.ie, the HSA’s free online safety management and risk assessment tool
• Guidance on safe working at heights 
• Guidance on Ergonomics Risk Assessment  
• Ergonomic Construction Case Study of Good Practice
• Free short on-line safety courses are also available on hsalearning.ie

 ENDS