'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.
The phrase 'falls from a height' appears frequently in workplace safety reports, especially in statistics published by the Health and Safety Executive. According to the HSE's latest work-related fatal injury stats, falls from a height were responsible for 35 worker deaths in Great Britain in 2024/25, making this the most common kind of fatal workplace accident. (The second most common cause was being struck by a moving object, which resulted in 18 deaths.)
The full HSE report puts this into longer-term context, stating:
"Falls from a height has been the main cause of work-related fatal injury in almost every year since at least 2001/02."
In other words, those 35 deaths are not a blip. Falls from height have been a major cause of workplace fatalities for decades.
What counts as 'a height'?
The term 'falls from a height' doesn't exclusively refer to dramatic falls from tall buildings. In workplace safety terms, 'a height' means any situation where a person could fall from one level to another and suffer an injury.
This means you are probably working at height if you are operating...
- On a roof, ladder, scaffold or elevated work platform
- Near an unprotected edge or opening
- On a fragile surface like a glass roof or skylight
- Above a pit or excavation
A fall from height could mean several storeys or just a couple of metres. If the fall is from one level to another and could cause injury, it falls under the same broad category.
Note that, even if you started on the ground, falling to a level below that (through an open manhole, for example) still counts as 'falling from a height'.
Why are falls from height so dangerous?
Falls from height are dangerous because the force of the resulting impact can be enough to cause life-changing or even life-ending injuries.
The distance of the fall is not the only factor you need to worry about. What you land on, how you land and whether you hit anything on the way down can also make a fatal difference.
For example, a worker who drops from an unprotected ledge may suffer serious injuries even if the drop is only a few metres. Someone who falls from a ladder may sustain fatal head injuries if they land badly. A worker who falls through a pane of glass may sustain additional injuries from the resulting shards.
Where do fatal falls happen?
Fatal falls from height can happen in many different working environments. They are perhaps most closely associated with the construction industry, but the risk is not limited to building sites.
In the 2024/25 fatal injury report, the HSE reported that construction had the highest number of worker deaths overall, with 35 fatalities in total. Agriculture, forestry and fishing had 23 worker deaths, which translates to a much higher fatal injury rate per 100,000 workers.
This helps to explain why falls from height are a concern across many sectors. Roof work, scaffolding, maintenance, farming, tree work, warehousing, telecoms and facilities management...all of these can involve situations that expose workers to potential fall risks.
Common fall from height scenarios include:
- Falling from ladders or step ladders
- Falling from roof edges or through roof openings
- Falling through fragile surfaces such as glass skylights
- Falling from scaffolding
- Falling from atop vehicles, trailers or machinery
- Falling into shafts, pits or excavations
These are not rare or unusual hazards; they are routine workplace risks that need to be identified, planned for and controlled before work begins.
Real examples of fatal falls from height
Recent fatal incidents show how varied these accidents can be, and how quickly they can happen.
In 2026, the HSE reported on the death of a 19-year-old labourer who fell six floors down a ventilation shaft on a London building site. He stepped onto a covered opening while helping to dismantle scaffolding, and the covering (which was made of plasterboard and roofing foam) gave way. The construction company was later fined.
Also in 2026, Farmers Weekly reported that a Devon farmer had died after falling from a ladder while trimming hedges. The report noted that falls from ladders, vehicles and machinery remain a serious risk in agriculture.
Another grim HSE report concerns the case of a man who fell through a skylight opening while carrying out work on a flat roof. He fell approximately 2.5 metres onto a concrete floor and later died from his injuries. The HSE's investigation found that there were no physical measures in place at the roof edges or around the skylight openings to prevent a fall.
These examples illustrate what a broad category 'falls from a height' really is. They also highlight some of the safety oversights that can lead to this kind of tragedy.
Do falls from height always result in death?
No. Many falls from height are non-fatal, but they can still cause serious injuries.
According to the HSE's non-fatal injury statistics for 2024/25, falls from a height accounted for 8% of employee non-fatal injuries reported under RIDDOR. These injuries can include broken bones, head injuries, spinal injuries, internal injuries and long-term mobility problems.
We have covered this topic in more detail in our guide to falling from height injuries, which explains the types of harm that can occur when someone falls from height and why the consequences can be so severe.
Remember: a fall does not have to be fatal to have a major impact. A non-fatal fall can still leave someone unable to work, needing long-term treatment or living with permanent injuries.
Why do falls from height happen?
Falls from height often happen when work is not properly planned or when a hazard is underestimated. In many cases, the task may feel familiar or straightforward, which can make it easier for workers and employers to overlook the risk.
Common contributing factors include:
- Unprotected edges or openings
- Fragile surfaces that are not clearly marked or protected
- Using the wrong access equipment for the task
- Poorly secured ladders
- Lack of suitable fall protection equipment
- Insufficient supervision or training
- Poor weather, low light or slippery working surfaces
- Rushing, distraction, tiredness or worker impairment
The legal and practical expectation is that work at height should be planned, supervised and carried out by competent people using suitable equipment. Where possible, work at height should be avoided entirely. Where it cannot be avoided, the risk should be prevented or reduced as far as reasonably practicable.
How can falls from height be prevented?
The best way to prevent falls from height is to assess the task before work begins and choose the safest practical method. This may mean carrying out the work from ground level, covering openings securely, using collective protections such as guardrails, or using properly-selected personal fall protection equipment.
Different jobs call for different solutions. A roof worker, a MEWP operator and a tree surgeon may all need different types of equipment and safety precautions. The important thing is to make sure the equipment is suitable for the task, compatible with the wider fall protection system and used by someone who has been properly trained.
If you are an employer or worker preparing for a task at height, take the time to confirm that the correct controls are in place before the job starts. A few minutes of planning can make the difference between a routine task and a serious accident.
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