Are Your Ladders Lying to You? Why Falls From Height Still Kill and How to Stop Them Today

Falls from height remain one of the most persistent causes of workplace fatalities and major injuries in the UK. While that may not be breaking news to health and safety professionals, the stubborn frequency of these incidents shows that many workplaces still fall short on basic prevention — literally and figuratively.

Understanding the risk — more than just a wobble on a ladder

Work at height isn’t only about dramatic scaffolding collapses. It includes any work where a person could be injured if they fell, from routine ladder work and fragile roofing to accessing mezzanines and loading bays. The risk is a function of height, the task, the environment and the equipment. Legal duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Work at Height Regulations 2005 mean employers must assess and control those risks — not hope for a soft landing.

Practical steps employers should be taking today

Good practice is often low-tech and high-impact. The hierarchy of control remains the backbone of prevention: eliminate, substitute, use collective protection, use safe systems of work and, only as a last resort, use personal protective equipment.

Eliminate the need to work at height — can the task be done from ground level or using extendable tools?
Provide collective protection — edge protection, guardrails and platform access reduce reliance on fragile individual actions.
Ensure equipment is suitable and inspected — ladders have a role, but they are often the least safe option for sustained or complex tasks; check against PUWER expectations and manufacturer guidance.
Train and verify competence — training should be proportionate to the task and followed by supervision and assessment of competence.
Plan rescue — if a fall arrest device is used, there must be a rescue plan; suspension trauma can become critical within minutes.

Checklist for a quick site safety review

Has a documented risk assessment been completed and communicated?
Are there safer alternatives to working at height for the task in hand?
Is access equipment the right type, inspected and used by competent people?
Are there clear procedures for emergency rescue and first aid?
Is PPE correctly specified and used only where controls higher in the hierarchy are impractical?

Common failings I see in the field (and a wry smile)

From makeshift platforms to the infamous ‘one-person ladder job’ that somehow becomes a three-person circus, recurring failings are often human systems, not just human error. Organisational pressures, rushed changeovers, poor supervision and unclear responsibilities all increase risk. Safety consultants, including Synergos Consultancy, regularly find that a clear allocation of duties and simple, enforced procedures make more difference than shiny new equipment.

Regulatory anchors and sensible interpretation

The Work at Height Regulations set the legal framework; PUWER and PPE regs are closely linked. The law expects proportionate, sensible control measures — not box-ticking theatre. Practical, tailored risk management that fits the work activity performs better than a generic plan pasted from a template.

How to embed lasting change without nagging everyone to death

Embedding safe work at height is about culture, competence and continuous improvement. Engage operatives in risk assessments, conduct short toolbox talks focused on real tasks, and review incidents and near-misses to learn rather than blame. When teams see that safety saves time, reputations and limbs, compliance follows more willingly than a statutory letter ever could.

For organisations seeking practical help, an external review by experienced advisers — such as Synergos Consultancy — can spot systemic gaps and suggest proportionate, evidence-based fixes that fit the way your teams actually work.

Quick wins to implement this week

Review current tasks where ladders are used and ask if a safer method is available.
Check inspection records and replace any suspect equipment.
Run a focused toolbox talk on rescue planning and the steps to take following a fall.
Update one written procedure so it is task-specific, short and practical.

Falls from height are a preventable threat. The remedy is rarely glamorous, but it is effective: sensible risk-based planning, the right equipment, competent people and a rescue plan that actually works. Step up to those basics and you remove more hazards than a thousand stern emails ever will.

Ready to step up? A pragmatic review and simple, enforceable changes can make a measurable difference — and if you want an objective pair of eyes, experienced advisers such as Synergos Consultancy can help translate the regulations into practical action without the jargon.

Are Your Ladders Lying to You? Why Falls From Height Still Kill and How to Stop Them Today