Fall From Height Incident: A Reminder That Risks Are Still Being Missed

A recent case reported by the Health and Safety Executive highlights a continuing issue across multiple industries: working at height remains one of the most common causes of serious workplace incidents.

In March 2026, a waste management company was fined after an employee suffered serious injuries following a fall from height during operations. Source: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2026/03/17/waste-management-company-fined-after-employee-falls-from-height/

While cases like this are not new, they continue to raise important questions.

Why are these incidents still happening?

Why Fall From Height Incidents Are Still Happening

Working at height is a well-known hazard, particularly in sectors such as construction, waste management, and maintenance.

Most organisations already have:

• Risk assessments in place

• Safety procedures documented

• Equipment available

However, incidents continue to occur.

This suggests that the issue is not always a lack of systems, but often how those systems are applied in practice.

Common Gaps We Continue to See

From both industry reports and on-site observations, several recurring issues stand out:

1. Risk Assessments That Don’t Reflect Reality

Generic or outdated assessments may not fully capture the actual working conditions on site.

2. Inadequate Planning and Supervision

Work at height requires proper planning, including safe access, edge protection, and supervision.

3. Over-Reliance on Experience

Experienced workers may become more comfortable with tasks, increasing the risk of shortcuts or complacency.

4. Lack of Refresher Training

Procedures may be in place, but without regular reinforcement, they are less likely to be followed consistently.

Compliance Is Not Always Enough

The company involved in the recent case had responsibilities under health and safety legislation, yet the incident still occurred.

This reflects a wider issue across industries:

Having controls in place does not guarantee they are being used effectively.

There is a growing shift towards looking beyond compliance and focusing on:

• Behaviour on site

• Leadership involvement

• Ongoing monitoring

What Should Organisations Be Doing in 2026?

To reduce the risk of similar incidents, organisations should consider:

• Reviewing risk assessments to ensure they reflect actual site conditions

• Strengthening supervision and planning for work at height activities

• Providing regular refresher training

• Reinforcing safe behaviours, not just procedures

These steps help bridge the gap between what is written and what actually happens on site.

How Base Solutions Can Support Your Organisation

For organisations looking to strengthen their approach to working at height, ensuring your team has the right knowledge and awareness is essential.

Our Working at Height Online Course is available both as an online course and as in-person sessions, depending on what works best for your team and operations.

The course helps your team to:

• Understand key risks associated with working at height

• Apply safe systems of work in real scenarios

• Recognise hazards before they lead to incidents

• Stay aligned with current health and safety expectations

It is suitable for both new starters and as a refresher for experienced workers, helping reinforce safe behaviours across your workforce.

If your team carries out work at height, this is a simple and effective step towards reducing risk.

Start Working at Height Training Today