Work at Height Safety

Over the past five decades the Height Safety industry has undergone a progressive change working to provide solutions to situations where personnel are required to work in areas which were once deemed as safe working practice. There has been a constant series of developments, from the use of waist belts with short rope lanyards and chain lanyards as recent as the 1980s, to the vast array of different shock absorbing devices and full body harnesses now available on the market. It is only a handful of key manufacturers that have consistently provided the innovations that have led the Height Safety Industry to where it is today.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) annual statistics state that, in 2021/22, there were 61,713 non-fatal injuries reported by employers under RIDDOR, and falls from a height accounted for 8% of these. Additionally, falls from height accounted for 39 deaths and the highest proportion of fatalities caused by accidents. As these statistics demonstrate, work at height that is not adequately controlled can have serious consequences.

 While not a replacement for industry recognized training the purpose of this blog is to raise awareness of typical assessment and control measures required for working at height safely. 

Before any work at height begins, it is vitally important to assess the risks and hazards presented by the environment, conditions and the required operation.

Hierarchy of Control

(a) When undertaking a risk assessment for tasks that are to be completed ‘at height’, the following hierarchy of control shall be adopted:

(i) Avoid: ensure that no work is done at height if it is safe and reasonably practicable to do it other than at height.

(ii) Prevent falls: Where it is not reasonably practicable to avoid working at height, the employer shall ensure that appropriate equipment or other control measures are in place to prevent persons falling from a place at height; and

(iii) Minimize the distance and consequences of a fall: Employers shall ensure that where it is not reasonably practicable to prevent falls, work equipment or other means shall be provided that will reduce the distance a person could fall and the consequences of this fall.

STATISTICS




                                                                           


Dos and Don'ts of Working at Height

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, maintained and checked regularly
  • Take precautions when working on or near fragile surfaces
  • Provide protection from falling objects
  • Consider emergency evacuation and rescue procedure
Don't…
  • Overload ladders – consider the equipment or materials workers are carrying before working at height. Check the pictogram or label on the ladder for information
  • Overreach on ladders or stepladders
  • Rest a ladder against weak upper surfaces, e.g. glazing or plastic gutters
  • Use ladders or stepladders for strenuous or heavy tasks, only use them for light work of short duration (a maximum of 30 minutes at a time)
  • Let anyone who is not competent (who doesn't have the skills, knowledge and experience to do the job) work at height

Undertaking safety training or attending a working at height course is an excellent way to help yourself and your colleagues stay safe. A good working at height training course will provide you with information including:

  • An overview of working activities involving risk of injury from working at height and                   typical injuries 
  • Legal responsibilities including an overview of the Working at Height Regulations 
  • Basic hazards and factors affecting risk 
  • Main precautions to prevent falls and falling materials 
  • Safe working practices for common forms of access equipment
  • Inspection requirements for scaffolds

Address: Unit №209- Second floor Brashy Building 319th Rd, near Al Safa- Metro Station Sheikzayed Road — Dubai — United Arab Emirates

Phone:: +971 4 239 3639


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