Hazards to pedestrians

These are the most common of the hazards facing pedestrians and account for 30% of all the major accidents and 20% of over three-day injuries reported to the HSE each year. It has been estimated that the annual cost of these accidents to the nation is 750m with a direct cost to employers of 300m. The highest reported injuries are reported in the food and related industries. Slips and trips are the biggest single cause of reported injuries in the construction industry. There are over 1000 major injuries on construction sites each year. Older workers. 

The Health and Safety Commission has been so concerned at the large number of such accidents that it has identified slips, trips and falls on the same level as a key risk area. The costs of slips, trips and falls on the same level are high to the injured employee (lost income and pain), the employer (direct and indirect costs including lost production) and to society as a whole in terms of health and social security costs. 

The vast majority of major accidents involving slips, 

4 Being struck by moving, falling or flying objects 

This causes 18% of fatalities at work and is the second highest cause of fatality in the construction industry. 

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Street works present particular hazards to pedestrians and many of these hazards are discussed in Chapters 7, 8, 9 and 10. Work on a pavement or road is hazardous for both members of the public and the construction workers. Pavements should be kept clear of tripping hazards, such as trailing cables. The site must be well lit at night. Road traffic past the site may also need to be controlled to protect the workforce. Members of the public and traffic vehicles must also be protected from the elbows of loaders, excavators and cranes which may swing into their path. More detailed advice is available from the Code of Practice Safety at street works and road works related to the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. The following points for the protection of pedestrians should be considered when work in streets or similar areas is being planned ... 

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