Fall from Height Deaths Continue to Rise: Construction Workers Most at Risk

YORKSHIRE, U.K. - Sept. 26, 2025 - PRLog -- alls from height remain the leading cause of fatal workplace accidents in Britain, according to new data analysed by CT Safety Barriers.

The 2025 Health and Safety Executive report reveals that 50 workers died in 2023/24, compared with 41 the year before. This rise shows that the risks associated with working at height are not easing, and that existing controls are still falling short in preventing needless loss of life.

Construction is by far the hardest hit. Of the 50 deaths recorded, 31 occurred on construction sites. That means well over half of all cases came from one sector, where scaffolds, ladders, unfinished structures, and fragile roofs continue to create deadly conditions.

These findings reinforce how vital it is for companies to strengthen their safety culture, invest in proven preventative systems, and keep protection at the centre of site management.

Simple, proven systems save lives when they are specified early in a project and installed correctly. These measures are not complicated, but they are highly effective, reducing exposure to the hazard rather than relying solely on personal vigilance.

• Guardrails and edge protection create a continuous barrier at roof perimeters and exposed platforms. See free-standing roof edge protection (https://armcobarriersbyctsafety.co.uk/free-standing-roof-...) for non-penetrative options that suit many flat roofs.
• Permanent and temporary handrails give secure, predictable handholds on stairs, ramps, and access routes. Explore safety handrails (https://armcobarriersbyctsafety.co.uk/safety-handrails/) for compliant configurations and finishes.
• Safety nets and soft-landing systems reduce the consequences of a fall by catching workers before they hit the ground. They are especially useful in open construction environments where barriers are impractical.
• Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and properly designed access equipment offer safer alternatives to ladders by providing stable, enclosed working positions at height.
• Fixed access ladders with cages or fall-arrest systems give safer vertical movement between levels, particularly when permanent access is required.
• Personal fall protection equipment (PPE) such as harnesses and lanyards serve as the last line of defence. When collective measures are not feasible, correctly specified and regularly inspected PPE ensures workers remain attached to a secure anchorage at all times.