Working at Height: Why Cutting Corners Is Costing Lives

At MCL Height Safety, we work with individuals and organisations every day who understand that working at height is one of the highest-risk activities in construction and related industries. Yet recent research shows that too many workers are still being placed, or placing themselves in serious danger.

Research from the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has found that many construction workers are effectively “dicing with death” while working at height. Despite falls from height remaining the leading cause of fatal injuries at work, unsafe behaviours continue to be widespread across the industry.

Shortcuts at Height: A Dangerous Reality

According to the IOSH research, nearly half of construction workers admitted to taking shortcuts when working at height, often to save time or meet tight deadlines.

These shortcuts might feel minor in the moment, but the consequences can be catastrophic. A single lapse in planning, equipment use or supervision can result in a fall with fatal or life-changing outcomes.

Lack of Training Is Making the Problem Worse

One of the most concerning findings is the role that poor training continues to play:

• 1 in 5 workers said they had received no training on working safely at height
• 1 in 7 workers believed their employer or contractor would expect them to ignore safety concerns to get the job done quickly

This culture of pressure and under-training significantly increases risk — not only to individuals, but to entire teams working around them.

At MCL Height Safety, we consistently see that well-trained workers are far more confident in challenging unsafe practices and applying correct control measures on site.

The True Cost of a Fall

Even when a fall from height is not fatal, the impact can be devastating. Survivors often face:

• Life-changing physical injuries
• Long-term mental health challenges
• Loss of income and financial strain
• Lasting effects on family members and colleagues

Kelly Nicoll, President of IOSH, highlighted the wider human impact of these incidents:

“Each of these deaths is a tragedy that could be avoided. The same goes for those who have been injured. And it’s not just about those who have fallen; we need to consider the family and friends who are left to cope with what’s happened and the colleagues, some of whom may be traumatised from seeing the incident themselves.”

She also emphasised that unsafe shortcuts often occur because workers feel pressured — a situation that must be addressed by stronger leadership, better planning and proper training.

Enforcement Action: When Planning Fails

Failing to control work at height doesn’t just put lives at risk — it also carries serious legal consequences.

In May, a cladding company and its director were prosecuted after a worker died falling through a roof during panel replacement work. Following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), it was found that:

• No site visit took place before work began
• Planning relied solely on photographs
• Building dimensions and roof details were not properly understood
• The hired cherry picker was unsuitable for safe access

As a result, workers were forced to leave the MEWP to work on the roof. A 61-year-old worker slipped and fell through fragile roofing material onto a concrete floor below.

The company was fined £225,000, and the director received a four-month prison sentence (suspended) along with 200 hours of unpaid work.

HSE Principal Inspector Damian Corbett commented:

“Those in control of work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working and to provide the necessary information and instruction to their workers in the safe system of working.”

He added that proper planning would have prevented the risk entirely and reiterated that enforcement action will be taken against companies that fall below required standards.

Planning, Training and Competence Save Lives

The message is clear:

• Work at height must be properly planned
• Workers must be trained, competent and confident
• Employers must create a culture where safety is never sacrificed for speed

At MCL Height Safety, we are committed to raising standards across the industry through high-quality training in work at height, rope access, rescue and fall protection. Cutting corners is never worth the risk — and with the right training and systems in place, it’s completely avoidable.

If you’d like support with training, refresher courses or reviewing your work-at-height procedures, our team is here to help.

MCL Height Safety
Training safely. Working responsibly. Protecting lives.

📞 020 8558 5688
🌐 mclheightsafety.com

info@mclheightsafety.com