Work at height is difficult as a worker is at risk of serious harm due to a fall if proper safety measures are not taken (for example, a fall through a roof down an unprotected lift shaft). All workers who are in danger of falling are given working at heights training.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 bind employers to remove or lessen the dangers of working at heights when they are legally obligated to do so.
Anyone in charge of the work at heights project must ensure that the job is well-planned and carried out by persons with the requisite qualifications.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) and rescue equipment must be properly trained at all levels, from project managers to end-users.
Measuring controls
Assess the dangers first. The height, duration and frequency of the labour and the surface condition to be worked on are factors to consider.
Steps to follow before operating at heights include the following:
- Wherever it is reasonable, avoid working at heights. Where it is not practical to avoid working at heights and where the danger cannot be avoided, use the correct equipment to minimise the distance and effects of a fall in an existing work that is already safe.
- Prioritise procedures protecting everyone in danger (collective protection) over those protecting one person at a time (personal protection).
Tips for working at a high altitude
DOs:
- Protect the safety of personnel working at heights by doing as much groundwork as feasible.
- Ensure that the equipment you are using is acceptable, sturdy, and strong enough for the task at hand and that it’s being maintained and examined periodically.
- Create a barrier to prevent items from falling
- It would be best to think about how you would evacuate and get out of a dangerous situation
- Ladders should not be clogged with too much weight, mainly when operating at a height. The fragile upper surfaces of the ladder, such as glass or plastic gutters, must not be pressurised.
- Do not use stepladders or ladders for heavy or arduous labour; save them for quick, short-term projects (a maximum of 30 minutes)
- Work at heights with someone competent ( in terms of abilities, knowledge, and experience).
Advantages-
Working at Heights Training benefits workers and employees who must do their jobs at a height.
Working at heights, equipment selection and set-up requires practical knowledge, theoretical understanding, and hands-on experience.
- Eliminate or lessen the possibility of severe or fatal injuries in the workplace by identifying and addressing potential hazards.
- Maintaining compliance with national and international standards and statutory obligations may be demonstrated by showing others that you are doing so.
- Fall protection systems, technologies, and rescue methods are used.
Steps to adhere:
- Take proactive steps to reduce the risk of industrial injury claims by its employees and subcontractors, to manage their claims history.
- You should follow all applicable laws, especially those related to workplace safety.
- You should establish and maintain safe working conditions while also ensuring that machinery and other assets operate to their maximum potential
- Increase people’s understanding of the dangers of operating at heights.
- Reduce the danger of falling from a height by encouraging workers to adopt preventative measures.
- Educate all levels of employees, including managers and supervisors, in an engaging, flexible, and participatory manner.
- Create a uniform curriculum for all employees.