Working at height remains one of the most dangerous activities in the UK workplace, accounting for a significant proportion of fatalities and serious injuries each year. With falls from height consistently topping the Health & Safety Executive’s (HSE) statistics, robust standards and rigorous training are crucial. The arrival of BS 8681 – Personal fall protection equipment – Anchor systems – Specification for provider competence marks a major step forward for the industry. The Standard complements the existing BS 7883, moving

The BSIF Height Safety Special Interest Group (BSIF HSG) offers an overview of the new Personal Fall Protection Equipment Standard, BS 8681, and outlines its implications for the industry and those it impacts. Fall protection equipment plays a crucial role in safeguarding workers from the risks associated with working at height, which remains one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities and injuries in the UK. The use of proper fall protection systems, combined with rigorous training and adherence to

The introduction of BS8681:2024 marks a significant advancement in fall protection, establishing rigorous competency requirements for personal fall protection equipment and anchor systems. This standard ensures that professionals designing, installing, and inspecting fall protection systems meet the highest safety standards, thereby reducing risks and improving workplace safety. The Importance of BS8681:2024 BS8681:2024 is a comprehensive guide to best practices in fall protection, encompassing areas such as:• Equipment Selection & Installation – Ensuring the proper use of fall protection systems to

BSIF Height Safety Group are delighted to invite you to a webinar on the new standard BS 8681:2024 Personal fall protection equipment –Anchor systems – Specification for provider competence. The new “Standard” was published on the 30th of November 2024. The Publication of this new British Standard, BS 8681, marks a significant step forward and sets out clear guidelines for the industry, emphasising competence and safety across all aspects of fall protection systems. Many of the BSIF (HSG) members were actively

IntroductionBS 7883:2019 was written and introduced to “raise-the-bar” of the industry as well as addressing legacyindustry challenges.The code of practice was published in November 2019 and retrospectively applies to all installations. Legacyinstallations can be conditionally passed to previous versions of the code of practice.All installations need to be understood in sufficient detail and safe to remain in service. Part of the due diligenceto establish the status of an installation is to review the System Technical File. This is of particular

This long-awaited harmonised standard was finally approved on the 23rd May 2024 under the Construction Products Regulations and provides a pathway to successfully test and CE mark fall protection products that are installed permanently into structures. Prior to 2010 permanently installed fall protection products were CE marked to EN 795 1997 Personal fall protection equipment — Anchor devices, harmonised under the PPE Directive 89/686/EEC. In April 2010 a test case took place to decide whether BS EN 795 Class A

QualificationsThe Height Safety group has been actively working with its members, 8Point8 Training and Smart Awards to assist with the development of qualifications for the industry.The NVQ Level II qualification – Accessing Operations and Rigging – Pathway 7 Fall Arrest has been available for many years, although few in the industry have this qualification. This NVQ is available Nationally but attracts no funding.The industry has developed an Apprenticeship Trailblazer which is a level III qualification– Personal Fall Protection Technician –

This specification is out for public consultation until 10th June 2024 and subsequently is likely to be published Autumn of 2024. This Standard provides a complementary Standard to BS 7883:2019 for the purpose of providing the duty holder (which may include construction contractors, building managers or building owners & property professionals ) with the checks and balances to determine the competence and professionalism of a those manufacturers, designers, fabricators, installers, trainers and inspectors operating within the fall protection industry. This

This specification has now been completely drafted and will be out for public consultation during April 2024 and subsequently published Autumn of 2024. This Standard provides a complementary Standard to BS 7883:2019 for the purpose of providing the duty holder (which may include construction contractors, building managers or building owners & property professionals ) with the checks and balances to determine the competence and professionalism of a those manufacturers, designers, fabricators, installers, trainers and inspectors operating within the fall protection

A meeting was recently held (June 2023) to discuss the Height Safety Trailblazer scheme, the details of the meeting can be viewed in the pdf below: