Falls From Height
Safety Campaign 2025 – Thursday 23rd October
Back to Construction Safety Campaign 2025
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/
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.”
Resources
AB Access Scaffolding Ltd – Scaffolding Site Audit – Design Request Form
AB Access Scaffolding Ltd – Scaffold Specification Template
CIF – Guidance for Interacting with Emergency Services
EU-OSHA – European Week for Safety and Health at Work- Safe and healthy work in the digital age
HILTI – Tool Tethering Solutions
HSA – Work at Height
HSA – Toolbox Talk on Working at Height
HSA – Using Ladders Safely
HSA – Safe use of Work Platforms-Trestles
HSA – Guide to SHWW General Application Regs, Part 4: Work at Height
HSA – MEWPs
HSA – Code of Practice for Access and Working Scaffolds
HSA – ‘In the blink of an eye’ – Peadar’s Story
HSE (UK) – Safe Use of Ladders and Stepladders
IPAF – TBT on MEWP Familiarisation
IPAF – MEWP Pre-use Inspection Checklist
IPAF – TBT on Assessment of Ground Conditions & Supporting Structures for MEWP
IPAF – TBT on Avoiding Overhead Obstructions
IPAF – TBT on MEWP Rescue Plan
IPAF – TBT on Risks of Operating MEWPs from Ground Level
NASAC – Do’s and Don’ts on Scaffolds
Robert Bradshaw – ‘In the blink of an eye’ – Robert’s Story
Construction Safety Campaign Podcast 2025
Listen to the full series on Spotify