Falling between levels

22 (IDeA - 02)

June 2006

HHSRS 06/06

Yes

Yes

No

No

Vulnerable age

Related hazards

Persons aged under 5 years

None

Multiple locations

Secondary hazards

DESCRIPTION OF HAZARDS

DWELLING:

Second floor study bedroom in a 1924

building, converted in 1979

Background: The property was once a detached family house, of stone and slate construction. In 1979, the

property was converted into student accommodation, containing nine separately let study bedrooms. The

building is three storeys plus basement and the unit being assessed is that in the right hand picture. There

are four study bedrooms plus shared kitchen and a bathroom on the ground floor, three study bedrooms with

a separate WC and shower facility on the first floor. On the second floor are two study bedrooms (as shown

above).

2nd floor rear right study bedroom: (Right hand photograph). There is a wooden casement window with a

flat but rather substantial window board 75mm above the floor. The drop from this window is on to blue brick

pavers. There is no guarding or restrictor fitted to the casement, which is glazed with non-safety glass.

LIST OF RELEVANT MATTERS

LIKELIHOOD & OUTCOMES

Outcomes

a

Height above ground level

3

b

Nature of ground surface

3

c

Non safety glass

3

A

B

-

-

a

Type of opening window

3

b

Ease of window operation

2

c

Safety catches

3

d

Opening limiters

3

e

Sill heights

3

f

Disrepair of window

-

g

Ease of cleaning

2

h

Height of guarding

-

i

Easily climbed guarding

-

j

Openings in guarding

-

k

Construction/repair of guarding

-

Key

3

Seriously defective

2

Defective

1

Not satisfactory

-

Satisfactory/NA

# Compounding matters

-

None

22 (IDeA - 02)

June 2006

HEALTH AND SAFETY RATING SYSTEM SCORES

LIKELIHOOD

Low

High

1 in 100

Av 1920-45 Flats: 2,451

100

< 4200 2400 1300 750 420 240 130

75

42

24

13

7.5

4

2.5

1.5 >

Justification

The very low cill height and lack of window restrictors makes the window particularly

dangerous increasing the likelihood of a harmful occurrence substantially above average.

On top of that the lack of safety glass at such a low level despite the glazing bars,

increases the likelihood that a member of the vulnerable group could stumble and fall

through the glazing to the ground below.

OUTCOMES

%

Av 1920-45: 0.4

Class I

21.5

< 0.05 0.15 0.3

0.7

1.5

3

7

15

26

38 >

Av: 3.2

Class II

36.9

< 0.05 0.15 0.3

0.7

1.5

3

7

15

26

38 >

Av: 5.9

Class III

31.6

< 0.05 0.15 0.3

0.7

1.5

3

7

15

26

38 >

Av: 90.5

Class IV

10.0

< 0.05 0.15 0.3

0.7

1.5

3

7

15

26

38 >

Justification

The height of the fall onto the hard unforgiving surface increases the risk of extreme,

severe and serious outcomes by a significant degree.

Av 1920-45 Flats: 4

RATING

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

Score:

2614

RATING SCORES AFTER IMPROVEMENT

IMPROVE

Likelihood to

1 in 1800

Outcomes to

2.2 10.0 21.5 66.3

%

Justification

Fitting a safety catch and restrictor to the opening casement window, and reglazing with

safety glass would greatly reduce the likelihood to nearer average. The outcomes could

also be improved by taking up the pavers and grassing the area.

Av: 4

NEW RATING

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

Score:

22

Av: Nos

Average likelihood and health outcomes for all persons aged under 5 years, 1997-99.