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Health and safety campaigns

Date updated: 1/12/2023

Each year we carry out proactive, evidence-based projects based on national health and safety campaigns and local intelligence about current issues affecting health and safety in the Square Mile.

HeightSafe Campaign

Risks from work at height activities remain a key focus. This year we will build on previous work from our #HeightSafe campaign in 2017-18. The campaign is aimed at facilities management (FM), building maintenance and façade cleaning industries.

Key safety messages

  • Safe work at height involves using the most appropriate equipment and methods for the job. There is a clear hierarchy of measures to follow under the Work at Height Regulations. Businesses must be able to justify how they have arrived at the safest and best methods/equipment for work at height.
  • Safe work at height means selection and use of competent contractors.
  • The City of London would normally expect that businesses give priority to collective protection measures which prevent falls over personal protective measures which only mitigate against the effects of falls. This means that whilst costs do need to be considered as part of overall façade cleaning and maintenance strategies, work platforms that are inherently safe would generally be preferable over fall arrest systems.

Details of the campaign can still be found on X using the #HeightSafe hashtag. You can also view our videos​ on the subject.

2018-2020 key activities:

  • Hosting and supporting the ​London Work at Height Seminar
  • Delivering training events and briefings (Including free work at height training workshops available to FM companies in the Square Mile)
  • Developing web tools, including an audit toolkit for facilities and building managers​​​
  • Drawing together stakeholders in the facilities management supply chain to identify challenges and solutions in the Reaching New Heights Forum

Commercial Estates Project

We are leading on the delivery of the Commercial Estates Project - a targeted intervention programme for London which focuses on the risks from asbestos and work at height across commercial estate premises, including serviced offices, industrial estates and business parks. The project involves a joined-up approach with data and intelligence-sharing between participating Local Authorities to enable a focus on those businesses responsible for managing or creating the highest risks.

Planning and designing for Work at Height

Architects and principal designers are invited to contact us at the pre-application stage for advice on the approach for safe and effective façade access strategies on any new developments.

Previous projects

Previous priorities and projects have included work concerning the duty to manage asbestos, visiting hotels prior to the Olympics, workplace transport and loading bay safety as well as contractor management in commercial buildings.​