WORKING AT HEIGHT FOCUS
PLANNING
The following are requirements in law that you need to
consider when planning and undertaking work at height. You
must:
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Take account of weather conditions that could
compromise worker safety;
Check that the place (e.g. a roof) where work at height is
to be undertaken is safe. Each place where people will
work at height needs to be checked every time, before use.
Stop materials or objects from falling or, if it is not
reasonably practicable to prevent objects falling, take
suitable and sufficient measures to make sure no one can
be injured, e.g. use exclusion zones to keep people away
or mesh on scaffold to stop materials such as bricks
falling off;
Store materials and objects safely so they won’t cause
injury if they are disturbed or collapse;
Plan for emergencies and rescue, e.g. agree a set
procedure for evacuation. Think about foreseeable
situations and make sure employees know the
emergency procedures. Don’t just rely entirely on
the emergency services for rescue in your plan.
IN CONCLUSION
While there is a long term downward trend of workplace
fatalities in Great Britain, work at height has consistently
been, and remains as one of the leading causes of fatalities
and major injuries. Companies and individuals must
take responsibility in mitigating risks while sourcing and
implementing the very best in personal protective equipment
and fall protection measures.
References
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg401.pdf
www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/overall/hssh1617.pdf
www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/pdf/fatalinjuries.pdf
DOS AND DON’TS OF WORKING AT HEIGHT
42
Do… Don’t…
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As much work as possible from the ground
Ensure workers can get safely to and from where
they work at height
Ensure equipment is suitable, stable and strong
enough for the job, maintained and checked regularly
Take precautions when working on or near
fragile surfaces
Provide protection from
falling objects
Consider emergency evacuation and rescue procedures
HSE INTERNATIONAL
Overload ladders – consider the equipment or
materials workers are carrying before working at
height. Check the pictogram or label on the ladder
for information
Overreach on ladders or stepladders
Rest a ladder against weak upper surfaces, e.g. glazing
or plastic gutters
Use ladders or stepladders for strenuous or heavy
tasks, only use them for light work of short duration (a
maximum of 30 minutes at a time)
Let anyone who is not competent (who doesn’t have
the skills, knowledge and experience to do the job)
work at height.