Work at Height Safety | Fatal Fall from Unguarded Scaffolding Tower

HSE commentary

HSE Inspector David Hobbs said:

“Work at height remains one of the leading causes of workplace injury and death. In this case, a fall of six feet was enough to cause a death, highlighting the dangers.
This incident highlights the importance of suitable control measures, such as edge protection, to minimise the risk of serious personal injury.”

The investigation concluded that if guardrails had been in place, this fatal fall was highly unlikely to have occurred.

Pre-planning for likely scenarios

• Conduct a risk assessment for all foreseeable fall scenarios — e.g. worker suspended in a harness, collapse of a tower scaffold, fall into a confined space, or entrapment on a roof.
• Consider site-specific constraints such as limited access, weather, height, or the type of structure.
• Plan both self-rescue and assisted rescue methods, where appropriate.

Rescue planning is a legal requirement

Under Regulation 4 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, employers must plan both how work will be carried out safely and how a person will be rescued if things go wrong.
Failing to plan for rescue is itself a breach of the law, even if no incident occurs.

A compliant rescue plan should:

• Be written, site-specific, and proportionate to the level of risk.
• Include named responsible persons, communication routes, and timelines.
• Be reviewed and approved by a competent person before work begins.

Every site and task must have a site-specific, documented plan

No two sites or jobs are identical. Factors such as height, access, weather exposure, location, or equipment type all affect the rescue method.

Generic plans are insufficient — they fail to account for real-world conditions.

Employers should:

• Develop task-specific rescue procedures (e.g., tower scaffold collapse, harness suspension, roof fall).
• Include rescue arrangements within the Risk Assessment and Method Statement (RAMS).
• Keep the plan onsite and easily accessible, ensuring all workers know its contents.
• Auditors and regulators increasingly expect rescue plans to be integrated into daily operations, not buried in a safety file.

Training, Drills, and Equipment must be tested and reviewed regularly

Even the best-written plan will fail without trained people and reliable equipment.

Rescue preparedness is a living system — it needs maintenance, refreshment, and testing to remain effective.

Employers should:

• Provide practical rescue training to those expected to perform or assist in rescues.
• Conduct mock rescue drills at least annually (or after major changes).
• Test rescue equipment (ropes, blocks, harnesses, retrieval systems) following manufacturer guidance and PUWER requirements.
• Keep records of all training, drills, and inspections as proof of compliance.

Regular review not only saves lives but also serves as vital documentation in the event of an HSE inspection or investigation.

Fast, effective rescues depend on competence, communication, and accessibility

When an emergency occurs, clarity and coordination are critical.

The first few minutes after a fall often determine the outcome — and confusion, delay, or lack of access can turn a survivable incident into a fatality.

To ensure efficiency:

• Designate a Rescue Lead for each site or project, with clear authority.
• Use two-way communication systems (e.g. radios, emergency alerts) that are tested daily.
• Keep rescue equipment in a known, accessible location, free from obstructions.
• Maintain clear access routes for emergency services.
• Well-trained rescuers must know where equipment is, how to use it, and what sequence to follow. Every second matters.

Incorporating rescue procedures demonstrates compliance and leadership commitment

Embedding rescue planning into everyday health and safety culture sends a powerful message: that leadership genuinely values the safety of its people.

It shows that compliance is not just a “tick-box” exercise but part of operational excellence.

Benefits of embedding rescue procedures include:

• Legal protection: Demonstrates “reasonably practicable” effort under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
• Enhanced safety culture: Workers feel safer, more confident, and more engaged.
• Reputational resilience: Clients and regulators view proactive safety management as a sign of professionalism.
• Reduced downtime: Quick, coordinated rescues minimise disruption and potential business loss.
• Proactive employers integrate rescue planning into daily toolbox talks, pre-start briefings, and supervisory checks — ensuring every person on site understands their role if an emergency occurs.