A fragile surface when working at height can be every bit as dangerous as an open edge. If the surface gives way, a worker may fall through it and suffer life-changing or even fatal injuries.

All roofs should therefore be treated as fragile until a competent person has confirmed otherwise.

Because safety harnesses come in different sizes, it's important to measure yourself and make sure you get a harness whose dimensions match your body.

Wearing a harness that's the wrong size for you can cause discomfort and restrict your movement, making it harder to get the job done – and in the event of a fall, the forces may not be distributed evenly across your body, increasing the risk of fall arrest injuries.

Fall arrest injuries are injuries that can happen when a fall arrest system stops a worker from hitting the ground, but exposes them to other hazards such as sudden stopping forces and the risk of suspension trauma.

A properly-planned fall arrest system can save a worker's life. If someone falls from a roof edge, MEWP or other elevated spot, their fall arrest harness and should keep them from hitting the ground.

However, stopping the fall is only part of the job. A fall arrest system must also reduce the risk of injury during and after the arrest. If the wrong equipment is used, if the harness does not fit correctly, or if no rescue plan is in place, the worker may still suffer serious harm.

'Falls from a height' are falls from one level to a lower level. This could mean falling from a roof, ladder, elevated work platform or unprotected ledge. Falling through an opening in the floor also counts as a fall from a height.

No Falls Week is an annual campaign that aims to raise awareness of safe working at height practices. Organised by the No Falls Foundation, this week-long event encourages employers, workers and safety professionals to think carefully about fall risks and take practical steps to prevent falls in the workplace.

No Falls Week is now in its third year. Since launching in 2024, the campaign has helped to keep height safety squarely in the spotlight, reminding businesses across all sectors that falls from height are preventable when work is properly planned, closely supervised, and carried out using the right equipment.

No Falls Week 2026 is scheduled for Monday 18th – Friday 22nd May. Read on to learn more!