Preventing falls from height on building sites

This piece for Ridents collects the advice that holds up in practice.

Falls from roofs, ladders and scaffolding are among the leading causes of serious injury in construction. Most of them happen during short jobs that seemed too quick to plan properly. The safest approach follows a simple order: avoid working at height where possible, use guardrails and platforms that prevent falls when it is not, and rely on harnesses only as the last line of defence.

Falls from roofs, ladders and scaffolding are among the leading causes of serious injury in construction.

Ladders deserve particular attention because they are so common. Check them before each use, set them on firm, level ground at the correct angle and keep three points of contact while climbing. Cover or guard openings in floors and roofs, and train every worker to recognise fall hazards. Planning these steps before the job begins costs far less than any accident.