Australia’s Working at Heights Association releases E-News article:
We are all aware of the dangers and risks associated with Working at Height. However, when we think about the risk, we tend to only think about falls. Fall statistics remain at a stubbornly high level as shown in this E-News.
We are all aware of the dangers and risks associated with Working at Height. However, when we think about the risk, we tend to only think about falls. Fall statistics remain at a stubbornly high level as shown below:-
| Fatalities from Falls from Height Statistics – Source – Work Related Traumatic Injury Fatalities 2015 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2007 | 2009 | 2011 | 2013 | 2015 | |
| Fatalities ** | 155 | 181 | 146 | 146 | 132 | 142 |
| Falls from Height | 26 | 32 | 29 | 22 | 24 | 26 |
| % of Fatalities | 17% | 18% | 20% | 15% | 18% | 18% |
** Excludes vehicle collisions
However, there is a second high risk area resulting from working at height accidents and, the results are remarkably similar.
These fatalities result from persons being hit by objects dropped from height:
| Fatalities from Being Hit by Falling Object – Source – Work Related Traumatic Injury Fatalities 2015 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2007 | 2009 | 2011 | 2013 | 2015 | |
| Fatalities ** | 155 | 181 | 146 | 146 | 132 | 142 |
| Falls from Height | 25 | 24 | 15 | 27 | 25 | 21 |
| % of Fatalities | 16% | 13% | 10% | 18% | 19% | 15% |
** Excludes vehicle collisions
The table below then shows that – over the analysis period – more than one third of all industrial fatalities (excluding vehicle collisions) – resulted for errors of judgement by individuals while working at height – whether by an error of judgement resulting in a fall or an error of judgement by releasing an object while working at height.
| Fatalities from Being Hit by Falling Object – Source – Work Related Traumatic Injury Fatalities 2015 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2007 | 2009 | 2011 | 2013 | 2015 | |
| Fatalities ** | 155 | 181 | 146 | 146 | 132 | 142 |
| Combined Height | 51 | 56 | 44 | 49 | 49 | 47 |
| % of Fatalities | 33% | 31% | 30% | 34% | 37% | 33% |
** Excludes vehicle collisions
The Association’s interest in working with Regulators and industry is therefore clear and reflects the genuine, ongoing need to keep a strong focus on these issues.
Reference: www.waha.org.au/waha-news-blog/e-news-safe-working-at-height-more-than-a-fall-issue
