Manufacturer of ladders and access equipment, Werner, is calling on employers to bolster safety measures at work after new figures revealed 124 people were killed in workplace incidents during 2024/25. Of those, 35 resulted from a fall at height – accounting for more than a quarter of all worker deaths.
“Whilst this represented a slight reduction of 14 fatalities compared to the previous 12 months, this number is still far too high,” says Werner UK’s Compliance Manager Dave Elson (pictured), who is calling on employers to ‘redouble their efforts in improving training courses and ensuring equipment is ‘fit-for-purpose.’
His appeal comes in the wake of figures released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on July 2nd.
Dave Elson commented: “One death is too many and the impact on families when a loved one is seriously injured or killed is truly devastating for them. I know that we can never eradicate accidents altogether, but with the right safety measures we can help to reduce the number of incidents considerably and, of course, fatalities.
“Engaging the right safety protocols when working at height is crucial. For a comprehensive guide on working at height, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides an informative resource: HSE Work at Height Guide.
“I urge all companies in the construction industry – regardless of size – not to overlook safe working practices. Invest in training, use high-quality equipment, and ensure the right products are used for each application. Equally important, carry out regular inspections and safety checks on existing equipment.”
To view Werner’s Ladder Safety Guides, please visit www.wernerco.com/uk/ladder-safety
Image: Dave Elson, Werner
