What are the steps to safety when working at height? Find out more about the steps for working at height for employers and employees.
Working at Height Steps for Employers and Employees
The highest level in the hierarchy of preventive measures should be used when the danger of falls cannot be completely minimised; a fall arrest device should never be utilised instead of a personal fall protection system that stops falls - personal protective measures must yield to collective protective measures.
When using a fall arrest device, it is crucial to leave enough room for the user to fall without hitting the ground or any other obstructions.
Personnel shouldn't be put at more risk than they would be if no protective measures were installed, used, or dismantled. Work must be well organised, adequately supervised, and completed with the least amount of risk possible (this includes making plans for emergencies and rescue operations) and in compliance with all applicable laws; before beginning any work at height, it is crucial to have a specialised rescue plan (or incident management system) and resource in place for each job site and to ensure that all staff members are aware of it.
It is better to use rescue techniques that do not expose the responder to risk, such as non-contact rescues, over those that require the rescuer to descend to the rescue.
Do You Need A Safety Net For Working At Height?
All works should be under the supervision of an expert, and those operating at heights should create an effective communication system with one another and, if required, with third parties. Only when the weather does not endanger the health or safety of those doing the task at height should it be done.
All staff members should read and fully comprehend user manuals and method descriptions - briefings or toolbox talks might be used for this; when it is reasonably practical to complete the task safely without them, no worker should cross or come close to (or work on, from, or near) a delicate surface.
Those who perform height-restricted work should be knowledgeable of any necessary rescue techniques and emergency protocols. Employees or their representatives should be consulted during the planning and management of work.
Safety Steps When Working at a Height:
When feasible, replace the equipment with one that is at ground level rather than on a roof; instead of using a ladder, clean windows using the "reach and wash technique". Using techniques such as this allow workers to secure their safety by not working at a dangerous height.
If working at heights is unavoidable, set aside a "safe spot" where the hazards are the least, and work may be done there. There shouldn't be a need for additional safety gear because there are already precautions in place in this area.
Install a permanent device, such as a physical barrier, that provides a passive solution for numerous workers - they will be able to focus on the work itself rather than the safety system as a result. Those performing height-related work must be suitably attired and prepared for the task at hand, any tools or equipment used to perform work at a height must not risk the users' health or safety.
A user should connect to a personal fall prevention system in a location where there is no danger of falling from a height unless a method of protecting the line has been planned or given, users should be cautious while using personal fall protection devices near sharp or rough edges.
A lanyard and anchor point are typically used in fall restraint systems to keep employees from accessing hazards - if you're planning to employ Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS), make sure you get the right equipment, regardless of price, all full-body harnesses that fulfil ANSI criteria will function the same.
That price difference, though, might earn you something extra; sometimes, it's only a moniker, but other times it's functionality, such as additional D-rings, fireproof material, or arc-safe design. A more costly harness may cost more merely because it is designed to be more comfortable.
To prevent workers from reaching risks, fall restraint devices frequently incorporate a lanyard and anchor point. You may wear all the fall protection equipment in the world, but it's useless if it doesn't engage before you strike anything; this may appear to be a "common sense" remark, but you'd be shocked at how easily this aspect may be overlooked.
It is not uncommon to see a worker 10-12' from the ground wearing a 6' lanyard with a deceleration device on a construction site or a maintenance crew in a factory. While it appears to work at first look, there are several reasons why it will not.
When determining if and what type of fall protection is required by OSHA, three criteria must be considered: frequency, duration, and work location. OSHA now employs two phrases to assist you in determining the frequency and duration of labour.
After selecting the frequency and duration, the job must be positioned in relation to the hazard; by doing this, you can operate safely with the right precautions and equipment in place in the event of an accident.
You must get training to utilise fall arrest systems, which should only be used as a last option. If a worker were to fall, fall arrest equipment would halt the fall before it reached the ground.
If workers are to work safely at heights, they must have proper training - not only is training necessary by law but trying to defend yourself from a height without appropriate information leaves too much possibility for error and misunderstanding. Every year falls are the main reason for fatalities in the construction industry.
However, it is not limited to the building industry. Many people are killed by falls in other industries as well, give your employees the knowledge they need to be safe - working at a height requires adequate training, attention, and the application of necessary safety precautions. Taking shortcuts and being complacent might end in serious injury or death.
If you are working on a construction project in Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Kent or London, you will be considring the safety requirements of your workers. Follow the links below for construction site safety nets, crash bags hire and edge protection hire.
Construction Safety Nets Cambridgeshire Fall Arrest Bags Cambridgeshire Edge Protection Systems Cambridgeshire