A construction firm has been fined after a 17-year-old worker fell through a skylight opening and suffered life-changing injuries. On 20 August 2018, the young worker fell through an insulation sheet covering a skylight while walking across an unmarked area on the construction site in Gloucester. He suffered multiple broken bones, which needed two operations to treat. His doctors advised him that it was unlikely he would be able to work in construction ever again. A potential career in construction was cut short by the neglect of another reckless employer.
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) found that the employee was not supervised properly and was not warned about the risks on site. According to reports, there were no warnings in place about the hole in the roof, and no workers on site had been told about it. No further physical barriers were in place, either - any of these measures could have prevented this tragic accident.
The company failed to take the necessary precautions for working at height, and further investigation showed continued failures to properly and adequately plan constructions at that height (even after the incident in question). The Mark Holland Group pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety regulations and were fined £55,620.
HSE inspectors highlighted how this accident could have been avoided with simple safety precautions, such as the correct height safety equipment.
It's essential for employers to take adequate fall protection measures and follow the health and safety regulations at all times. These safety guidelines are there to help employers comply with the law and prevent death and serious injury.
Employers should aim to carry out work on the ground where possible, or utilise scaffolding or mobile platforms that allow easy and safe access. Failing that, use fall protection equipment to restrain workers in the event of a fall and minimise the distance the individual falls to minimise the potential injury.
Read our blog about choosing the best fall protection equipment for your job.
We hope that employers see stories like this one and make more of an effort to prioritise health and safety to prevent further accidents.
Buy & Hire Height Safety Equipment Our Bespoke Fall Protection Systems
No matter where you work or where you live, you’re almost guaranteed to see a ladder somewhere! Whether it’s in the middle of a shop floor or stored away in an equipment room or shed, everyone needs a ladder to help complete tasks at those awkward heights. If by any chance you do not have a ladder or are in need of a new one, then SafetyLiftinGear are here to help! Our extensive range of ladders are now restocked, all suitable for various environments and tasks, so whether you need to reach a product on a shelf or have to clean those gutters that you’ve been putting off for months, we are sure to have the ladder you need to get the job done quickly and safely.
All of our ladders are different and are built to serve a number of purposes, below you can find a number of the ladders we offer here at SLG and the best places in which they are suited.
Our collection of Aluminium Telescopic Ladders have recently been restocked and are perfect for a number of tasks both at work and at home. These ladders are collapsible and are available in both lightweight and heavy-duty options, making them great for a number of work and home tasks. Due to their collapsibility, they are able to be stored and transported with ease within the home and congested work environments. Professionals such as riggers and contractors who frequently travel will benefit greatly from using these types of ladders as they can be easily stored in vans and taken along to any job. Our heavy-duty option is also great for use in working environments as they provide the durability and strength needed to last a long time and ensure safety when used. With a design that is both smooth and user-friendly, this ladder makes it easy to choose the desired height in which you need to work at. You can view our entire range of telescopic ladders here.
Our Loft Ladders are perfect if you need a safe and easy solution to get in and out of your attic. Providing unique patented features that include a self-deploying stabiliser a slow closing mechanism to prevent fingers from trapping and with a telescopic build, they are easy to set up and use so you will have no trouble gaining access to your loft. They are also extremely easy to assemble and take up the minimum amount of space in your attic, you really should look no further when it comes to finding a ladder to access your loft. View our full range of loft ladders here.
A classic option, you can most definitely find a step ladder in most home and commercial premises due to their size and ability to be transported easily. As they are shorter than other forms of ladders, these provide an excellent solution when it comes to performing low-level lifting and reaching operations. For added stability and safety, a number of step ladders in our collection contain slip-resistant and anti-slip treads, making these ladders even more safe to use. Click here to view our full range of step ladders.
Please ensure that when you are using any type of ladder you are using it correctly and in the safest possible way. If you are unsure or unfamiliar with the safe use of ladders, then please visit our Ladder Safety page to find out more.
SafetyLiftinGear is a proud members of The Ladder Association, a premier trade association, home to all essential guidance and training needed to ensure working at height is as safe as possible. Along with its members, The Ladder Association gathers expertise to support safety and best practice of ladder use as well as technical advice. As a member, SLG is a recognised organisation that offer both ladder rentals and sales that you can trust, providing you ease of mind that you are receiving a ladder of the highest quality and also provide access to knowledge, resources and support in relation to ladders, which includes training for working at height safely.
It is important to also mention that single British and European product standard covering all types of portable ladders has been substantially revised. For further information on this change visit The Ladder Association page here.
These are just a few of the large selection of ladders that we supply here at SafetyLiftinGear. Other options include Extension, Glass-Fibre and Multi-Purpose Ladders, all of which are in stock can be viewed here to purchase. If you have any questions regarding the ladders mentioned above or our full range of ladders then please do not hesitate to contact us today us today where a member of our customer service team will be more than happy to help.
Working at height comes with high-level risk – it goes without saying that you need the right equipment to keep you safe. Our height safety services are of an incredibly high calibre (no pun intended). To prove we’re not afraid to put our money where our mouth is, we’d like to share the story of an exciting installation done for the Clifton Observatory in Bristol.
Before we delve into the details of the installation – and the height safety equipment used – we need to turn back the clock to tell you all about the Clifton Observatory and how it came to be:
In the 19th century, the artist William West renovated the Clifton Observatory from what was then a humble derelict mill and turned it into the observatory building it is today. It was West who first introduced the camera obscura – in England, this is the only camera obscura open to the general public.
To keep the camera obscura in tip-top condition, maintenance staff were required to clean the lens. Doing this meant getting pretty high up – and considering all the health and safety consequences that came with that.
To keep staff safe, we provided a bespoke fall restraint solution meaning staff could navigate the observatory rooftop sure in the knowledge the equipment provided by Safety Lifting Gear would prevent any dangerous falls.
While the heights weren’t for the fainthearted, the gorgeous views of Clifton bridge from the top of the observatory definitely make for some pictures to remember.
We know that safety is of the uppermost importance when there is a need for working at height – this is why we provide a wide selection of equipment to meet all of your height safety needs. From our safety harnesses to our wide selection of climbing cord and rope, you can rest assured any job can be done safely from falls.
For those who haven’t worked at height before, or if you’d like a refresher on best practice when working on a height-based project, check out our comprehensive height safety training courses! From reliable products to effective training, we can make your job easier and safer.
When working at heights, you need to ensure there are precautions taken to ensure you are safe at all points. In 2016/17, a whopping 25% of workplace fatalities happened when a worker fell from a height in Great Britain.
Safety is our priority at SafetyLiftinGear so we provide a wide range of height safety solutions to help reduce this percentage. Here's a look at the main types of height safety solutions we supply to keep you safe.
Fall protection equipment is a height safety solution which works to protect you from a fatal fall. We provide a wide range of high-quality height safety equipment which includes:
If something does go wrong while you're working at a height, it is important to have a height safety solution for this occasion. Our Emergency Rescue kits are designed to help rescue anyone who falls from a height quickly and efficiently. These are a vital piece of equipment when it comes to working at heights and many risk assessments require you have it.
Our Emergency Rescue Descent equipment includes:
We this helps you find the height safety solutions you're looking for! If you'd like to browse our full range of height safety equipment, you can do so here. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us here.
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