Safety Measures for Working at Height
When it comes to working at height, safety is paramount. Falls from height remain one of the leading causes of workplace injuries and fatalities, making it crucial for employers and workers alike to understand and implement effective control measures.
The Work at Height Hierarchy of Control provides a clear framework for managing and reducing the risks associated with working at height. It follows a structured approach: Avoid, Prevent, and Minimise—in that order of priority.
1. Avoid
The most effective way to manage the risks of working at height is to eliminate the need to work at height altogether.
By designing work processes that avoid working at height, the risk of falling is completely removed. Examples of avoidance include:
- Using extendable tools to carry out tasks from ground level.
- Completing assembly work on the ground, then lifting it into place.
- Lowering items to the ground for maintenance or repair rather than accessing them at height.
Avoidance should always be the first consideration during the planning stage of any work.
2. Prevent
If working at height cannot be avoided, the next step is to prevent falls from occurring. This involves making the working environment as safe as possible.
Preventive measures can be collective—protecting multiple workers—or individual—protecting a specific person. Key examples include:
- Ensuring the work area is safe and secure.
- Using collective fall prevention systems such as guardrails or edge protection.
- Choosing suitable access equipment, like scaffolding, podium steps, or mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), designed to prevent falls.
Collective measures are preferred over individual ones, as they protect everyone who might be exposed to the hazard.
3. Minimise
When neither avoidance nor prevention fully eliminates the risk, the final step is to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall.
This stage accepts that a fall may occur and focuses on reducing the harm. It can include both collective and individual measures, such as:
- Fall arrest systems and harnesses that stop a fall before serious injury can occur.
- Safety nets or soft landing systems positioned beneath the work area.
- Training workers in the correct use of fall protection equipment, and in rescue and emergency procedures.
Minimising risk is essential, but it should only be considered after all possibilities for avoidance and prevention have been exhausted.
The hierarchy of control for working at height is a simple yet powerful tool that prioritises safety through elimination, prevention, and risk reduction. By applying this hierarchy at every stage—from planning to execution—you can significantly reduce the risk of falls and ensure a safer working environment.
At Eurosafe, we’re committed to helping organisations manage their work at height risks effectively. Whether through expert consultation, system design, or comprehensive training, our team is here to support you every step of the way.
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.
