Safety Measures for Working at Height
Working at a height continues to be a leading factor in fatalities and serious injuries. Falls through fragile surfaces and from ladders are frequent occurrences. ‘Work at height’ refers to any activity performed in a location where, in the absence of safety measures, a person could fall and sustain personal injury.
What do I have to do?
Make sure the task is well organised, overseen, and completed by qualified individuals who have the necessary training, expertise, and experience. When working at a height, the proper equipment must be used.
Be cautious when thinking about safety measures. Planning will take less time for low-risk, relatively simple jobs, and in some low-risk circumstances, common sense may inform you that no special safeguards are required.
Control Measures
Before working at height work through these simple steps:
- Avoid work at height where it’s reasonably practicable to do so
- Where work at height cannot be easily avoided, prevent falls using either an existing place of work that is already safe or the right type of equipment
- Minimise the distance and consequences of a fall, by using the right type of equipment where the risk cannot be eliminated
For each step, always consider measures that protect everyone at risk (collective protection) before measures that only protect the individual (personal protection).
Collective protection – Equipment that does not require the person working at height to act for it to be effective. Examples are permanent or temporary guardrails.
Personal protection – Equipment that requires the individual to act for it to be effective. An example is putting on a safety harness correctly and connecting it to a suitable anchor point.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- As much work as possible from the ground
- Ensure workers can get safely to and from where they work at height
- Ensure equipment is suitable, stable and strong enough for the job
- Provide protection from falling objects
- Consider emergency evacuation and rescue procedures
Don’t:
- Overload ladders – consider the equipment or materials workers are carrying before working at height
- Overreach on ladders or stepladders
- Rest a ladder against weak upper surfaces
- Let anyone who is not competent work at height
Height Safety Training
Eurosafe has been a market leader in the fall protection industry and using this experience can provide a range of market-leading height safety training courses built around workers’ individual requirements and developed to provide them with an appropriate level of training.
The result is a much safer working environment where risks are minimised and there is much greater peace of mind for the building owner, manager, and employer.
