HSENI and the HSA, in partnership with the Construction Industry Federation and Spinal Injuries Ireland, have launched a two-week inspection drive after figures showed 68 deaths from falls from height since 2016, including 16 in Northern Ireland.

The coordinated all-island campaign will concentrate on preventing falls from height and driving stronger compliance on construction sites of every size.

HSENI Principal Inspector Julian Richmond said the joint initiative will see inspections carried out across the sector with the aim of reducing serious injuries and fatalities linked to work at height.

"In Northern Ireland, 16 workers have died in the last decade due to falls from height. And our figures show also that for the same period 524 falls resulting in significant injuries were recorded, averaging one per week. These injuries have the potential to be life-changing and make it very challenging for people to return to full work duties These are not unavoidable tragedies – they are preventable. They should never happen," he said.

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"This campaign sends a clear message: unsafe work at height will not be tolerated. The focus will be on ensuring that practical safety measures are not only in place but actively understood and followed by workers and contractors.

By working with our partners across the island, we aim to drive consistent standards and ensure that every worker goes home safe at the end of the day," Julian added.

Joan Flynn, Senior Construction Inspector at the HSA, said: "Most fatal falls happen during routine tasks where basic controls are missing. During this campaign, our inspectors will focus on planning, supervision and equipment to ensure risks are properly managed. Changing behaviour on site is just as important as having the correct equipment. Workers should feel empowered to speak up when something isn't safe."

Inspectors will check compliance with legal requirements for working at height, including thorough risk assessments and safety planning communicated on site; ensuring workers are trained and competent with the correct CSCS/CSR certification; the safe use, erection and inspection of scaffolding and ladders; the deployment of fall-prevention systems such as guardrails, harnesses and netting; and having robust emergency response and rescue plans in place.

The authorities stressed that effective on-site communication is critical to building safe behaviours. Policies and procedures must be backed by clear, practical information about risks and controls before any work at height begins, supported by regular briefings and active engagement.

Resources and practical guidance on safer work at height are available at hseni.gov.uk and hsa.ie.