Unit 9.
8
Working at Height
What does it mean to work at height?
Working at height refers to any task performed at a height where a fall could cause injury. This includes activities
on ladders, scaffolding, roofs, elevated platforms, and other elevated surfaces. Safety in these tasks is essential to
prevent accidents and protect workers’ lives.
Working at height remains one of the biggest causes of fatalities and major injuries. Common cases include falls
from ladders and through fragile surfaces. Examples of work activities that are classified as working at height
include:
• Working on a flat roof.
• Working at ground level adjacent to an excavation.
• Working near or adjacent to fragile materials.
• Gaining access to the loading area on a road or rail vehicle or container.
• Working on top of a road or rail tanker, a vessel or container (to check inspection hatches).
• Using ladders or stepladders to gain access to vessels, tanks, silos and storage bins.
• Using working platforms such as scaffolds, tower scaffolds, cherry-pickers, scissor lifts and podium steps.
Employers, managers, and the employees must ensure that work at height is suitably planned, supervised, and
carried out; those who do these things must be deemed competent.
When working at height, it’s important to manage risks with both collective and personal protection.
Collective protection refers to equipment that helps prevent falls without requiring the worker to take action, like
guardrails. This type of protection can keep more than one person safe and doesn’t rely on personal protective
equipment (PPE).
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is equipment designed to protect the individual, like a harness. It’s important
to make sure the equipment is suitable and in good condition, so it should be properly maintained and inspected
before use.
Following the rules and regulations is crucial to stay safe. Educating yourself on what’s required can give you peace
of mind, knowing you’re doing everything to protect yourself.
What risks are associated with working at heights?
Workers may be required to work at height in various settings, such as ports, docks, aboard vessels, at airports, at
home, on a trader’s premises, or other unfamiliar locations. The risks remain the same, and necessary precautions
must always be taken. If it’s not clear whether work can be done safely, it should not proceed until appropriate
equipment and safety measures are in place. Below are some common risks encountered when working at heights:
• Falls from Heights - The leading cause of severe and fatal injuries in working at heights.
• Falling Objects - Tools or materials falling from heights can cause injuries to workers below.
• Slips and Trips - Unstable or wet surfaces can increase the risk of slips and falls.
• Equipment Failures - Faulty or poorly maintained equipment can fail and cause accidents.
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What safety measures can be put in place to prevent accidents while working at heights?
• Risk Assessment - Before starting any work at height, a thorough risk assessment should be conducted,
and an appropriate safety plan must be developed.
• Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - Workers should be provided with safety harnesses, helmets,
non-slip shoes, and other suitable personal protective equipment.
• Training and Education - Ongoing training programmes should be offered to teach safe techniques for
working at heights, the correct use of PPE, and emergency procedures.
• Constant Supervision - Trained supervisors should be assigned to oversee work at heights and ensure
safety measures are followed.
• Equipment Inspection - Regular inspections and preventive maintenance should be carried out on all
equipment used in work at heights.
• Implementation of Collective Protection Systems - Guardrails, safety nets, and other collective protection
systems should be used to minimise the risk of falls.
How can falling be prevented?
To prevent falls while working at heights, the following tips can be followed:
• Use an existing, safe workplace, such as one with permanent guardrails or parapets around the edges, or
equipment with fixed, permanent guardrails.
• Consider using work equipment, like tower scaffolds, podium steps, cherry-pickers, or scissor lifts, which
provide guardrails on the working platforms, if an existing safe workplace is not available.
• Avoid using improvised methods, such as a pallet on a forklift truck, to gain access.
• For regular access, such as inspecting hatches on top of road or rail tankers, consider installing special
access platforms.
• Avoid using loose or unsupported ladders or stepladders whenever possible.
• Temporary ladders should be secured at the top or held at the bottom by a colleague.
• Ladders must be of a professional standard and able to support the weight of the person and any
equipment.
• Ensure ladders are positioned securely and at the correct angle, often marked on the side of the ladder.
• If it’s not possible to prevent a fall, efforts should be made to limit the risk by minimising the height or
consequences.
It’s important to identify all tasks that involve working at height, whether they’re occasional or routine, and carry
out a risk assessment to ensure the correct precautions are taken to prevent injury.
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