Access industry forum praised for bringing together expertise

Bill Callaghan, chair of the Health and Safety Commission has commended the Access Industry Forum for collaborative working in improving safety and providing innovative solutions to prevent workers being injured while working at hieght.

Making a keynote address at the AIF Callaghan said: "Partnership will always remain an important area for the HSE. We recognise the value of bringing together expertise to solve the safety issues we all face.

We need to embed the principles of sensible risk management to protect the health and safety of workers. We don't think that preventing falls from height can be prevented by putting signs on mountains or banning ladders."

Falls from height are the biggest cause of fatal injuries in the workplace but have dropped dramatically in recent years. There were 46 deaths from falls from height in the workplace in 2005/6, compared to 212 in 2005/6.