The No Falls Foundation (NFF), the first and only UK-based charity for the work at height sector, is holding its annual ‘No Falls Week’ from 12-16 May, to promote safe working at height.

Following the success of their inaugural campaign last year, which saw almost 2,000 organisations sign up to take part, No Falls Week has returned to raise awareness about the importance of safe working at height, prevent falls and ensure everyone that works at height comes down safely.

With an estimated 10 million workers carrying out work involving some form of working at height every year, No Falls Week provides the opportunity for organisations across all sectors to place a focus on work at height safety.

Falls from height are consistently the leading cause of workplace fatalities in the UK, with 50 people losing their lives at work due to a fall from height in 2023/2024, the NFF says, and the latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that falls from height were responsible for 36% of all workplace deaths last year, up from 30% the year before (and 25% the year before that).

There are an even greater number of non-fatal injuries resulting from a fall from height, with almost 5,000 people in Great Britain having been reported injured at work in 2023/24.

However, the NFF says there is substantial underreporting of non-fatal falls from height for all workers, particularly the self-employed, who were found to report just 12% of workplace incidents. According to the self-reported accidents from their preferred source, the Labour Force Survey (LFS), the HSE estimates the number of workplace falls from height over the last 10 years may be up to 425,000.

Along with the lives, families and businesses affected by these accidents, up to 688,000 working days were lost through non-fatal falls from height in Great Britain in 2023/24 alone.

Hannah Williams, Charity Manager at the NFF, said: “Everyone who needs to work at height should be able to work safely and return home unharmed at the end of every shift. Unlike most other types of workplace injuries, the consequences of a fall from height are usually life-changing for the person involved, with many unlikely to return to their previous occupation, as well as having long-term consequences for employers, colleagues and families.

“We were delighted with the participation in No Falls Week 2024, which saw almost 2,000 companies sign up and take practical steps to raise awareness of safe working at height. Whether you work in construction, manufacturing, agriculture or any other sector, No Falls Week is an opportunity for everyone to shine a spotlight onto the mental, physical, and societal consequences of working at height accidents.”

Employers can sign up to get involved in the week-long campaign via the No Falls Week website.