Falls from working at height contribute to an unacceptable number of serious injuries and accidents in the workplace.
A fall from height is one of the most serious safety concerns facing construction sites and many other workplaces.
It is important that personnel involved in work at height are competent and provided with appropriate work at height equipment.
Causes of Falls from Working at Height
- Lack of work at height equipment
When employees work at height, proper work at height equipment must be provided. The type of equipment needed will vary depending on the nature of the job. It is absolutely critical that the job is assessed and equipment is in place before the work begins.
- Improper training
If workers are not taught how to safely perform their tasks at height, they are at an increased risk for suffering injuries or accidents arising from working at height.
- Using defective work at height equipment
When work at height equipment such as ladders, scaffolding or fall protection equipment are defective or in poor condition, workers could be liable to fall.
- Improper planning and supervision
Improper planning and supervision of working at height activities constitute a fall hazard. The risks from falling from height should be identified and mitigated before starting any work at height.
Work at Height Regulations 2005
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 contain a set of rules that must be followed when any work is undertaken at a height, with the aim of preventing deaths and injuries. These are mandatory for all employers and people who control work at height, and are enforceable by law. There is also provision within the rules that sets out responsibilities that employees must know.
The regulations define work at height as any place, including a place at, above or below ground level, where a person could be injured if they fell from that place.
Also, the Work at Height Regulations 2005 require that employers and those in control of any work at height activity ensure that the work is properly planned, adequately supervised and carried out by competent person in a safe manner.
Risk Assessment for Working at Height
A risk assessment must be conducted before the commencement of work at height in order to determine the risks arising from fall hazards.
Fall hazard risk assessments should consider the following:
• People or objects that could fall;
• The proximity of workers to unsafe areas where loads are placed on elevated working areas and where work is to be carried out above people and there is a risk of falling objects;
• The adequacy of inspection and maintenance of work at height equipment;
• Environment and site conditions (including weather, ground conditions and possible risks relating to other activities);
• Selection of appropriate control measures using the hierarchy of controls;
• Selection of appropriate equipment (including suitability of footwear, clothing, condition of ladders, etc);
• Selection of anchor and tie off points;
• Competency and fitness for work of personnel;
• Access and egress; and
• Emergency response and rescue plan.
Tips for Preventing Falls from Work at Height
- Avoiding work at height
Work at height can be avoided by modifying a work process, e.g. cleaning windows from the ground by pole cleaning rather than from ladders. It can also be avoided by modifying a design, e.g. erecting guard-rails or steelwork at ground level and then using a crane to put the steel and guard-rails into place.
- Training of personnel
Personnel required to work at height must be able to recognise potential working at height hazards and have completed the necessary training to enable them to select the appropriate type of fall protection equipment and PPE to mitigate these fall hazards.
- Proper planning and supervision
Proper planning and supervision of work is important to prevent falls from height and falling materials. Those responsible for such work should be experienced and should use their knowledge to ensure the selection and use of correct work at height equipment.
- Inspection of work at height equipment
Regular inspections of the work at height equipment are essential to reduce the risks of fall from height. Fall protection equipment should be personally inspected before each use and at least every six months by a competent person.
- Guard-Rails and Toe-Boards
Wherever possible, protection should be provided at all unprotected edges to prevent people and materials from falling. This can be achieved by means of guard-rails, toe-boards and brick-guards on scaffolding and other platforms. Guard-rails are designed to prevent people from falling, whereas toe-boards and brick-guards are principally designed to stop materials from falling.
- Personal fall protection systems
Personal fall protection systems provide protection from falling or safely arrest a fall if one occurs. Examples of personal fall protection systems include fall arrest systems, work positioning systems, and fall restraint systems.
Personal fall protection equipment should only be used by trained workers. Harnesses, lanyards and anchor points should be routinely inspected to ensure they are in safe working order.
Key Considerations to Fall Prevention
- The Work at Height Regulations are there to protect you against falling from height.
- It is illegal to work at height unless you are protected from the consequences of a fall.
- You have a legal duty to report dangerous situations & unsafe activities arising from working at height.
- You have a legal duty to use work at height equipment provided & not put others at risk.
- Safety cannot be compromised when carrying out work at height activities.
Primelift Safety Resources Limited provides Work at Height and Rescue Training to enhance the competency of personnel involved in working at height.
Contact us: www.primeliftsafetyng.com. Call us on +234 9115687051 or Email us at training@primeliftsafetyng.com for more information.
