personal protective equipment (PPE) is sufficiently strong and durable. Confined Space – Safety within confined spaces is covered by the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) and The Confined Space Regulations 1997. These describe potential health hazards from substances or conditions, such as fumes or combustion. Electrical – Electrical hazards fall under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HASWA), which requires hazard warning signs and up-to-date PAT testing. Employers should also provide posters and leaflets with information about electric shock hazards. Slips and falls – HASWA also states that employers should ensure that preventative action is taken to prevent slips, trips and falls. Machinery and tools – Equipment within the workplace is under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER, 1999 in Northern Ireland) requiring that employers make all machinery safe for use, including adding precautions such as safety barriers PPE (also covered by Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992). Machinery should be inspected at regular intervals to ensure it is in a continued 'safe to use' state. The advice given above is often characterized as 'best practice' and may not always be legally binding. Injuries and fatalities caused from improper safety measures Falling from height in the workplace accounts for nearly half of fatal injuries per year (on average), the majority of these fatalities are within the Construction Industry. There are roughly 40 fatalities per year from people falling from a height. “The most common hazards associated with scaffolding are falls, falling objects from a higher level of scaffolding, electric shock from nearby power lines and failures of either the scaffolding itself or the planks used as flooring.” According to the HSE “Falls from height are one of the biggest causes of workplace fatalities and major injuries. Common causes are falls from ladders and through fragile roofs. The purpose of WAHR is to prevent death and injury from a fall from height." See also Construction site safety References Occupational safety and health Maintenance