Falls From Height

Safety Campaign 2025 – Thursday 23rd October

Construction Safety Episode 5: Falls from Height

In Episode 5 of the CIF Construction Safety Campaign 2025 podcast, Sean Downey, Director of Safety, Education & Training, joins Shannen Malone, EHS Advisor, Suir Engineering, on-site at the solar farm project in Westmeath.

Watch the episode below.

Key messaging from HSA

Working at Height continues to be the greatest causal factor for fatalities and serious injury in construction, predominantly from relatively low heights (2-3 metres above ground level). All work at height must be adequately planned, risk assessed and organised to avoid, or at least reduce, risks as low as reasonably practicable. The key messaging from the Health and Safety Authority for Work at Height is to:

  • Carry out risk assessments for work at height activities and make sure that all work is planned, organised, and carried out by a competent person.
  • Follow the ‘General Principles of Prevention’ for managing risks from work at height, taking steps to avoid, prevent or reduce risks.
  • Chose appropriate work equipment and prioritise collective measures to prevent falls (such as guard rails and working platforms) before other measures which may only reduce the distance and consequences of a fall (such as nets or airbags) or may only provide fall-arrest through personal protection equipment.

The HSA affords access to a wealth of information on its webpage: https://www.hsa.ie/eng/Topics/Work_at_Height/

computer

IPAF supports CIF ‘Back to Basics’ campaign to reinforce safety fundamentals

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) is proud to support the CIF’s Back to Basics campaign, which encourages everyone in Ireland’s construction sector to refocus on essential health and safety principles. 

IPAF is urging all those who work at height, including Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) users, to revisit the fundamentals of safe operation – planning, training, supervision, and equipment inspection – to help prevent avoidable incidents.

“Safety starts on the ground,” said Damien O’Connor, IPAF’s Irish Country Manager.

“Whether operating a MEWP, managing a worksite or supervising teams, attention to the basics can prevent serious injuries and help save lives. The CIF campaign aligns perfectly with IPAF’s mission to promote the safe and effective use of powered access for safe working at height. By working together with the CIF and with the support from our members, we can help reinforce these core safety behaviours, to ensure every worker goes home safely at the end of the day.”

Construction Safety Campaign Podcast 2025

Listen to the full series on Spotify

Join the Construction Industry Federation