If your business has experienced a fall from height, we understand how challenging and worrying this can be. Falls from height remain one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities and serious injuries. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), in 2024/2025 there were 124 fatal workplace deaths, with falls from height being the top cause at 35 fatalities.
When a fall from height is reported to the HSE under RIDDOR, the HSE follows its general incident-handling and enforcement framework rather than applying a single automatic response. The approach depends on the seriousness of the incident, the circumstances, and HSE’s current priorities.
How HSE handles reports of falls from height
1. Receiving and recording the report
Falls from height that result in death, specified injuries, or over‑7‑day incapacitation must be reported under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR). Reports are logged into HSE’s incident database and initially screened.
2. Triage and decision to investigate
HSE uses published criteria to decide whether to investigate, focusing on serious harm, systemic failures, and prevention priorities. Not every reported fall is investigated on site; minor incidents may be recorded for intelligence only, while serious or fatal falls are more likely to trigger an investigation.
3. Investigation activities
If HSE investigates, actions can include site inspections, securing evidence, reviewing risk assessments, method statements, training records, and equipment checks.
4. Outcomes and enforcement options
Depending on findings, HSE may give advice, issue Improvement or Prohibition Notices, or prosecute dutyholders for serious breaches. Prosecutions can lead to substantial fines or, in severe cases, custodial sentences.
5. Use of data for prevention
All reported falls feed into HSE’s national statistics and inform guidance updates, inspection campaigns, and sector-specific initiatives to prevent future incidents.
Sectors most affected
Certain industries face higher risks due to the nature of their work, including construction, agriculture, transport, manufacturing and maintenance. Roof work, scaffolding, working on silos or barns, loading vehicles, accessing mezzanine floors, and cleaning windows are all tasks where falls are common.
Jobs where falls commonly occur
Roles such as roofers, scaffolders, vehicle maintenance technicians, warehouse operatives, construction labourers and building cleaners often involve working at height, making proper safety measures essential.
Legal duties and penalties
Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, employers and those controlling work at height must avoid unnecessary work at height, conduct thorough risk assessments, provide safe equipment and training, and ensure competent supervision.
Penalties for breaches can be severe. Fines for non-compliance can reach thousands of pounds, and serious cases may lead to prosecution under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Injured workers can also pursue civil claims for compensation covering medical costs, lost earnings and pain and suffering.
Enforcement & process
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) enforces compliance through investigations, issuing improvement or prohibition notices, and prosecuting serious breaches in Magistrates’ or Crown Court.
How Stephensons can help
At Stephensons, we specialise in supporting businesses in cases involving falls from height. We provide proactive advice on and support to avoid costly litigation and reputational damage.
If you have been affected by a fall from height or need advice, contact Stephensons today on 0161 696 6250 – we are here to help.
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