Recurring concern
Unsafe work-at-height operations
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Request correctionFirst reported 5 Aug 2013•Latest report 8 Mar 2021
What this concern includes
Includes failures of controls specifically dedicated to safe work at height, including hazard identification, risk assessment, competent planning and supervision, worker training and instruction, suitable equipment, safe methods, monitoring and emergency arrangements.
Not included
- Excludes generic staff supervision, instruction, training or risk-assessment deficiencies where work at height is not the identified safety concern.
- Excludes failures involving ladders or other access equipment where no work-at-height safety context is supported; those may belong to a narrower equipment-specific concern.
- Excludes unrelated working-practice, occupational-health or workplace hazards that do not materially concern work at height.
- Excludes failures arising after a safe work-at-height operation has been completed, unless they identify a deficient work-at-height control.
- Reports
- 6
- Individual concerns
- 11
- Date range
- 2013–2021
- Stated actions
- 10
Distinct published reports
A report can raise multiple concerns
First to latest report issue date
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to ensure new employees have the required roofing experience, qualification and health and safety training
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
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Action
Implement a structured Pro-Clad training programme for new and unqualified employees.
Stated by Wayne Clarey -
Action
Designate two supervisors to oversee worker training and safety.
Stated by Wayne Clarey -
Action
Appraise workers daily, recommend further qualifications, and arrange workplace testing by outside agencies.
Stated by Wayne Clarey
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.4
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Position
Lack of training was not considered the main cause of the accident; failure to prevent the fall was the material safety issue.
Stated by Health and Safety Executive
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Position
Existing Principal Contractor training support and training-matrix arrangements, extended to subcontractors, were considered sufficient for identified training needs.
Stated by Health and Safety Executive -
Position
The Principal Contractor’s training-matrix system, including appraisals and training-needs analysis, was considered sufficient for subcontractors.
Stated by Health and Safety Executive -
Position
Existing training, supervision and external assessment arrangements are treated as sufficient for future trainees and experienced workers.
Stated by Wayne Clarey
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Concerns raised4
Failure to ensure work-at-height systems provide adequate fall protection
Failure to provide competent planning and supervision of work at height
Failure to ensure riggers remain clipped on during work at height
Failure to ensure competent design of necessary work-at-height safety features
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised2
Failure to ensure an appropriate level of safety and maintain sufficient control measures for working at height on vehicles or vehicle trailers
Lack of sufficient understanding of working-at-height hazards and risks on vehicles or vehicle trailers
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
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Action
Continue drafting guidance on the safe use of tail-lifts with the Health and Safety Executive.
Stated by Road Haulage Association Limited -
Action
Raise the coroner’s concerns and explore wider dissemination of relevant vehicle-load safety guidance to operators at the next forum meeting.
Stated by Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.5
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Position
The incident appears unconnected with the specific operator’s licence requirements, which concern satisfactory arrangements to prevent vehicle overloading.
Stated by Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain
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Position
Traffic commissioners lack investigative powers and resources to undertake the responsive investigation.
Stated by Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain -
Position
Responsibility for enforcing safe-working legislation lies with the Health and Safety Executive, not the traffic commissioners.
Stated by Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain -
Position
The trade association lacks a specific mandate to draft or distribute members’ health and safety obligation policies.
Stated by Road Haulage Association Limited -
Position
The Health and Safety Executive should lead or be involved in drafting relevant transport health and safety policies, advice or guidance.
Stated by Road Haulage Association Limited
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Concerns raised2
Failure of health and safety assessment templates and audits to address work at height
Lack of working-at-height training
This report raised 8 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to provide an aerial-work-qualified groundsman for tree surgeons
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.5
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Action
Promulgate incident learning and reinforce adherence to relevant tree-work safety guidance through AFAG committee members and their organisations.
Stated by Health and Safety Executive -
Action
Ensure lessons from the incident are considered when AFAG 401 and AFAG 402 are next reviewed.
Stated by Health and Safety Executive -
Action
Review emergency procedures with in-house arborists against AFAG guidance 401 and 402.
Stated by Forestry Commission England
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Action
Re-brief employees supervising arboricultural contracts on key AFAG guidance requirements.
Stated by Forestry Commission England -
Action
Continue rigorously implementing emergency-rescue requirements in areas under Forestry Commission control.
Stated by Forestry Commission England
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
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Position
The absence of evidence about compliance with supervision, auditing and proficiency requirements prevents further comment on those measures.
Stated by The Arboricultural Association
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Position
Existing AFAG guidance adequately addresses tree-climber ratios, aerial-rescue training and communication requirements for legal compliance.
Stated by Health and Safety Executive
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Concerns raised1
Lack of specific working-at-height training
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Data last updated 7 September 2026