Tips & tricks – 10 ways stay safe when working at height
Due to the recent stats from the HSE on fatal accidents, this month we’ve put together some helpful hints about working at heights.
- Risk assess – if you cannot avoid working at heights; then make sure you have completed a thorough risk assessment of all possible dangers including falling objects, obstructions and the ability of your staff to undertake the work.
- Policy & Training – make sure that you continually review and update your working at heights policy, and that all staff have undertaken appropriate training for the work.
- Avoid Working at Height where possible – choose the most appropriate method of working at heights for the job – will it be a ladder job, or will it need scaffolding?
- Edge protection – place a suitable and strong enough guard at a suitable height around the place where people will be working at height.
- Safe area – before you start work, always check for overhead obstructions and use barriers if necessary to keep the area safe.
- Below ground – Don’t forget; working at heights can also apply to below ground projects such as working at height around excavations, ponds etc. Make sure they are well protected, there is good means of getting in and out and well lit and/ or highlighted so people can see them.
- Access Equipment – For working at height activities that may take longer or require more intensive work- you should consider using access equipment such as mobile towers or mobile elevated work platforms.
- Ladders – use appropriately. The HSE advises only using them for light work of short duration i.e. 30 mins. Never overload or overreach them either.
- Three points of contact – remember that you should always have three points of contact when using ladders – one hand, two feet, or one foot two hands. This should also be used when entering or exiting large vehicles.
- Training – Make sure anyone working at height is trained, and that they only use appropriate equipment to reach where they want to go.
For more advice visit the HSE at http://www.hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/index.htm
Would you like to speak more about working at height with one of our team- then please click here