A number of industry groups have come together in an effort to raise awareness and understanding of safety within the construction industry.

CITB have teamed up with HSE and Working Well Together to produce a film focusing on fragile roof work.

The film which highlights the consequences of failing to prevent falls through fragile roofs is part of an ongoing HSE initiative to ensure construction workers know how to approach this work safely.

Lee Fisk from the Environment and Health and Safety Strategy team at CITB said: "We welcome the opportunity to be involved in the HSE campaign.  Construction is an exciting and inspiring industry but it's essential to make sure that employers and employees have the right blend of skills, knowledge and training to work safely and be aware of the potential consequences if they are not followed.  

-- Advertisement --

"Falls through fragile surfaces, particularly fibre-cement roofs and roof lights, account for 22% of all fall from height fatal injuries in the construction industry.

"Almost all of these fatalities arise from construction work in some form or another although not always on what might be regarded as a construction site, much of which work is minor and short duration, such as cleaning gutters and skylights, carrying out simple repairs or accessing the roof for maintenance.

"Everyone involved in this type of work, including clients, designers and contractors, should treat falls through fragile surfaces as a priority hazard."

Heather Bryant, HSE's Chief Inspector of Construction said: "Everybody - from landlords and tenants to surveyors and maintenance workers - should think about the risks of falling through fragile roofs, and the devastating effect an accident can have on them, their families and friends.

"These accidents can and should be prevented. Always plan the work, however quick and simple it first appears, and do not go onto a fragile roof without taking steps to prevent a fall through it.

"I encourage everyone involved in arranging, planning, managing and doing work on fragile roofs to watch and share this film"

The full film can be watched here.

(MH/JP)