Working at Height Risks in the Construction Industry and How to Reduce Them

Working at Height Safety in the Construction Industry

The survey, conducted among 200 construction professionals, highlights just how prevalent the risk of working at height remains.

An overwhelming 98.6% of the 200 construction professionals surveyed agree that working at height remains a significant safety risk in the sector.

The survey, conducted among 200 construction professionals, highlights just how prevalent the risk of working at height remains.

An overwhelming 98.6 percent of respondents agreed that working at height is still a major safety concern in the construction sector. This demonstrates that, while equipment and legislation have evolved, the underlying risks remain ever-present.

Construction roof work, façade access, and temporary access solutions all introduce hazards that must be carefully managed through planning, training, and appropriate safety systems.

Highest-Risk Equipment When Working at Height

The survey identified the most common equipment associated with working at height incidents on construction sites.

Ladders

Ladders were identified as the highest-risk access equipment, with 88.8 percent of professionals highlighting them as a major safety concern. Misuse, overreaching, and using ladders for unsuitable tasks are common causes of falls from height.

Mobile Access Towers

56.6 percent of respondents identified mobile access towers as high-risk. Incorrect assembly, lack of inspection, and unsafe movement while occupied all contribute to incidents involving towers.

Scaffolding

41.3 percent of construction professionals consider scaffolding dangerous when it is poorly erected, inadequately inspected, or lacking proper edge protection and guardrails.

Effective Risk Reduction Strategies for Working at Height

Reducing working at height risks requires a combination of equipment, planning, and training.

Use of Appropriate Access Equipment

79 percent of respondents believe that selecting the correct access equipment for the task, and ensuring it is in safe working condition, is one of the most effective ways to reduce risk.

Improved Planning and Design

76.2 percent highlighted better planning as a key control measure. This includes reducing the need to work at height wherever possible through design choices such as modular construction and prefabrication.

Installation of Proper Safety Systems

74.1 percent emphasised the importance of installing effective fall protection systems, including guardrails, edge protection, fall arrest systems, and collective protection measures.

Why Working at Height Training Is Essential

While safety systems and equipment are vital, training remains one of the most important factors in preventing falls from height.

A lack of correct working at height training, combined with insufficient refresher training and competence assessments, significantly increases the risk to workers. Training ensures individuals understand how to use equipment safely, identify hazards, assess risk, and comply with current working at height regulations.

Working at Height Training with Eurosafe

Eurosafe is a market leader in fall protection and height safety solutions. Using decades of industry experience, we deliver a range of working at height training courses designed to meet the specific needs of construction workers, contractors, and facilities teams.

Our training programmes are tailored to individual roles and site environments, providing the appropriate level of knowledge and practical competence to work safely at height.

The result is a safer working environment, reduced risk of falls from height, and greater peace of mind for employers, building owners, and duty holders.