Access equipment manufacturer Werner has renewed calls for greater working at height safety awareness after the latest HSE figures revealed falls were responsible for one in four workplace fatalities in Great Britain during 2025/26.
Provisional Health and Safety Executive (HSE) data shows 31 workers lost their lives following a fall from height during the period. Although down from 35 deaths in 2024/25, falls remained the leading cause of fatal workplace accidents, accounting for around 25% of the 126 worker fatalities recorded.
Werner says the figures reinforce its message that many falls can be prevented when safety is treated as a mindset rather than simply a compliance exercise.
The manufacturer is urging tradespeople and employers to focus on the decisions made before work at height begins, including selecting the correct access equipment, carrying out pre-use ladder inspections, ensuring equipment is set up correctly and avoiding overreaching.
Earlier this year, Werner launched its inaugural April Falls Month campaign, providing practical guidance, educational resources, toolbox talks and digital content aimed at encouraging safer working at height across construction and the trades.
Justin White, Managing Director at Werner UK, said: “These figures are a stark reminder that, despite all the progress our industry has made, falls from height continue to take far too many lives. One in four workplace fatalities is one in four too many.
“The encouraging news is that the vast majority of these incidents are preventable. Safe working at height starts long before anyone climbs a ladder. It starts with proper planning, selecting the right equipment, carrying out pre-use inspections and never becoming complacent.”
He added: “Everyone has a role to play in improving safety standards. By choosing the right equipment for the job, following best practice and putting safety first every time, we can continue reducing falls from height and, ultimately, save lives.”