--- title: What Exactly Is A Fall From Height? - Ability International description: Falls from height are a major cause of workplace injury, especially in the construction and manufacturing sectors. image: https://www.abilityint.com/hubfs/Images/Capture-30.webp --- [01832 770759](tel:01832770759)[sales@abilityint.com](mailto:sales@abilityint.com) [01832 770759](tel:01832770759)[sales@abilityint.com](mailto:sales@abilityint.com) [![Ability International Logo](https://www.abilityint.com/hubfs/Ability%20International%20Logo.svg "Ability International Logo")](https://www.abilityint.com/) [![Ability International Logo](https://www.abilityint.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-1.png?width=183&height=50&name=logo-1.png "Ability International Logo")](https://www.abilityint.com/) - [Home](https://www.abilityint.com) - About - [About Us](https://www.abilityint.com/about) - [Health & Safety](https://www.abilityint.com/health-and-safety) - [Hire](https://www.abilityint.com/hire) - [Repair](https://www.abilityint.com/repair) - 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Falls from height can also arise in many other workplaces, including warehouses, factories and even office buildings. If a worker is not wearing the right safety gear or it doesn’t fit properly, accidents can happen more easily. [![Request A Quote](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/7885436/interactive-190412425768.png)](https://www.abilityint.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLI5CgdQeoUPd%2Ba8YF4C%2BoFw4or8Opaoh4XLDOrcZDLLvclVGmckZ7GPGQwutuCB1TZOjinATMnv7J9Y0cRY3m78g5L5lwFnQDOEfZHaXU0GzSlujPpr%2FXHW%2BIiPpV2bB0LrlF6WbrogCQ7qz0PvW2Z6dWWxRM0K%2FVqWc2%2F2zBbyMDsMX6pnG2jy&webInteractiveContentId=190412425768&portalId=7885436) ## Falling From Height When working at height in construction, [poor safety](https://www.abilityint.com/training) measures can easily lead to serious injuries, and in some scenarios, even death. If you don’t take the proper precautions, you could fall and cause an injury to yourself or others around you. Note: older workers are more at risk of injury from a fall from height. ## Falls From 3 Metres Can Be Fatal Falls from height can cause serious injury, whether long-term or short-term, including paralysis, broken limbs, and fractured skulls. If you’re working in an environment where falls are a risk, then it’s important that you know the correct procedures to follow so that you can protect yourself. Any fall that is from a height of 3 metres or more increases the risk of serious injury or death. ## 3 Main Sources Of Falls In the UK, falls are one of the leading causes of death in construction. There are three main sources of falls: • Falls from roofs • Falls from ladders • Falls from scaffolding These types of falls are often broken into subcategories based on how high a person fell and whether it was an accident. ## Actions To Prevent Falls From Heights As with all hazards, the best way to prevent injury from a fall from height is through [risk management](https://www.abilityint.com/training). Employers should have a comprehensive fall prevention plan in place and ensure that it’s implemented effectively. The following are some actions an employer can take to prevent falls: • Use a [fall prevention system](https://www.abilityint.com/): This could be as simple as providing personal protective equipment such as harnesses or safety lines, or it could include installing guardrails and safety nets around machinery or scaffolding on high structures. • Train workers: [Training workers](https://www.abilityint.com/training) on how to use the personal protective equipment provided to them by their employers is essential, including how to put harnesses on correctly and safely operate lanyards/securing devices so that they won’t accidentally become disconnected. For more advice on preventing falls from height, [contact Ability International today](https://www.abilityint.com/contact). [![Working-at-Height-Guide-LONG-CTA.1](https://www.abilityint.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Working-at-Height-Guide-LONG-CTA.1.webp?width=691&height=269&name=Working-at-Height-Guide-LONG-CTA.1.webp)](https://www.abilityint.com/working-at-height-guide) - Recent - Topics - Archive Recent Topics - [Working At Height (70)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/working-at-height) - [injuries at work (23)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/injuries-at-work) - [Working at heights (22)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/working-at-heights) - [Work At Height Equipment (21)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/work-at-height-equipment) - [desksurfer (20)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/desksurfer) - [Working At Height Equipment (16)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/working-at-height-equipment) - [Health & Safety (10)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/health-safety) - [access platform (7)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/access-platform) - [Scaffold tower hire (6)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/scaffold-tower-hire) - [injuries (4)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/injuries) - [Rent a scaffold tower (3)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/rent-a-scaffold-tower) - [Scaffold tower for sale (3)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/scaffold-tower-for-sale) - [Work At Height Violation (3)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/work-at-height-violation) - [work related injuries (3)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/work-related-injuries) - [Chimney Access (2)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/chimney-access) - [Scaffold tower lease (1)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/scaffold-tower-lease) - [Servicing Work Equipment (1)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/servicing-work-equipment) - [case studies (1)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/case-studies) - [scary facts (1)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/scary-facts) See all Archive - [August 2026 (2)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/archive/2026/08) - [July 2026 (2)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/archive/2026/07) - [June 2026 (4)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/archive/2026/06) - [May 2026 (2)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/archive/2026/05) - [April 2026 (2)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/archive/2026/04) - [January 2026 (1)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/archive/2026/01) - [December 2025 (1)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/archive/2025/12) - [November 2025 (1)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/archive/2025/11) - [August 2025 (109)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/archive/2025/08) - [May 2025 (2)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/archive/2025/05) - [April 2025 (3)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/archive/2025/04) See all ### Subscribe by email Share this [Share on X](https://x.com/intent/post?url=https://www.abilityint.com/blog/what-exactly-is-a-fall-from-height-ability-international&text=What+Exactly+Is+A+Fall+From+Height%3F+-+Ability+International) [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.abilityint.com/blog/what-exactly-is-a-fall-from-height-ability-international&t=What+Exactly+Is+A+Fall+From+Height%3F+-+Ability+International) [Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.abilityint.com/blog/what-exactly-is-a-fall-from-height-ability-international&t=What+Exactly+Is+A+Fall+From+Height%3F+-+Ability+International) Previous story [← Invest One Week In Training For Working At Height In 2025 To Save A Small Fortune](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/invest-in-training-for-working-at-height-to-save-a-small-fortune) Next story [When Things Go Wrong: The Legal Consequences Of A Workplace Fall →](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/the-legal-consequences-of-a-workplace-fall) ## You May Also Like These Related Stories [What Is Covered In Our Fall Arrest And Safety Harness Systems Course?](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/covered-topics-fall-arrest-safety-harness-system-course) ![A manager training the construction worker on fall arrest and safety harness systems when working at height.](https://www.abilityint.com/hubfs/Images/What-Is-Covered-In-Our-Fall-Arrest-And-Safety-Harness-Systems-Course-min.webp) [Working At Height](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/working-at-height) ### What Is Covered In Our Fall Arrest And Safety Harness Systems Course? Aug 22, 2025, 11:43:52 AM 2 min read [The Difference Mandatory Training Can Make: Ontario Reduces Fall From Height Injuries By 19%](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/ontario-reduces-fall-from-height-injuries-by-19) ![Two construction workers discussing how to build at height safely.](https://www.abilityint.com/hubfs/Images/The-Difference-Mandatory-Training-Can-Make-Ontario-Reduces-Fall-From-Height-Injuries-By-19.webp) [Working At Height](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/working-at-height) ### The Difference Mandatory Training Can Make: Ontario Reduces Fall From Height Injuries By 19% Aug 22, 2025, 11:44:12 AM 2 min read [When Things Go Wrong: The Legal Consequences Of A Workplace Fall](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/the-legal-consequences-of-a-workplace-fall) ![Engineer technician working at a height and implemently saftegy measures to prevent a workpalce fall](https://www.abilityint.com/hubfs/Images/When-Things-Go-Wrong-The-Legal-Consequences-Of-A-Workplace-Fall.webp) [Working At Height](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/working-at-height) ### When Things Go Wrong: The Legal Consequences Of A Workplace Fall Aug 22, 2025, 11:43:55 AM 2 min read ### Get Email Notifications #### [![Ability International Logo](https://www.abilityint.com/hubfs/Ability%20International%20Logo.svg)](https://www.abilityint.com/) Since 1987, Ability has been crafting innovative solutions for elevated work environments. 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