SA Affordable Housing July - August 2019 // Issue: 77 | Page 18

FEATURES Working at heights has a lot of depth – Part 1 Like many other aspects of construction, there is a huge risk when working at heights. Usually considered a headache, proper management of working at heights is critical as failure to do so can cause injury, close down sites and cost time and money. By Benjamin Brits A fall arrest system showing the retractable lanyard and lifeline. I f you are like me, you may assume that working at heights only involves things like access and working on, or in a roof, but recent developments in standards around best practice when working at heights will lower the requirement for management to as little as half a metre off the ground. In reality, even a fall of this short distance can cause serious injury (and even death in some cases). I was invited to the Waco Training Facility in Boksburg, Johannesburg recently to discuss working at heights with training manager, Jakes Jacobs [who is also the chairman for the Scaffolding Chamber at the Institute for Working at Height (IFWH)]. During our chat, I realised the enormity of risk that working at heights holds, as well as the importance of this seemingly-simple element of construction that is not just about the correct gear or personal protective equipment. “One of the bigger challenges in the industry is the fact that many companies in the construction space don’t know the difference between the various elements of working at heights, or the necessary training for their teams. Often they send their teams on training that is not aligned for what they need to achieve, which leads into the next major challenge of fly-by-night training providers offering training but they don’t complete the certification process. This See more on page 18 16 JULY - AUGUST 2019 www.saaffordablehousing.co.za