The Fatal Accidents Act, initially established in 1846 and consolidated by the Fatal Accidents Act 1976, is a significant piece of legislation in the United Kingdom. It was passed to allow relatives of individuals who have died as a result of someone else's negligence, legal recourse to claim damages.

Vicarious liability is a legal principle that holds an individual or entity responsible for the actions of another person, typically in a relationship where one party has control or authority over the other.

Work at height accidents remain a significant concern in the UK, consistently representing a notable percentage of workplace fatalities and injuries. In the 2022/23 period, there were 40 reported fatalities due to falls from height, which is a stark reminder of the risks associated with working at height.

Employers have a fundamental duty to ensure the health and safety of their employees at work. This includes providing safe work equipment and maintaining it in a condition that is safe for use.

Employees in the construction industry are statistically more likely to sustain an injury at work: 27 out of 1,000 people suffered one last year, compared to 17 out of 1,000 workers in all other industries. Falling from height is the number one cause of non-fatal accidents in the construction industry.

According to the Health and Safety Executive, 135 workers were killed in work related accidents in 2022/2023. It’s important to understand what your employer’s health and safety obligations are.