Working at heights is one of the biggest culprits contributing to injuries and fatalities that occur in the workplace. In fact, 24% of worker deaths were caused by fatal injuries in 2021/22.
Clearly, working at heights comes with high-risk potential. So, it would seem prudent to take any measures possible to keep employees who work at a height safe. That’s where these safety tips come in. By implementing these tips, you’ll help to keep your employees that much safer when working at heights.
What does working at height mean?
Working at height refers to any work where an employee could potentially fall and injure themselves if precautions aren’t taken. This includes examples such as working on a ladder, a roof, an opening in the floor or even a loading dock. The OSHA requires employees to wear fall protection from four feet and up. However, this might be different in some industries.
4 safety tips for working at height
As an employer, you are responsible for ensuring the health and safety of your employees. This includes implementing the necessary safety measures to protect them when working at height as well as complying with the relevant legislation. Additionally, there are numerous safety tips you can enact in order to protect employees who work at height.
Working at height assessments
Risk assessments allow you to identify and mitigate potential hazards, which makes them an essential tool for any work activity. Working at height assessment is no different. These should be conducted annually and should include all risks faced by employees.
Invest in working at height PPE
There are several forms of PPE you can invest in to protect your working-at-height employees. Collective protective equipment includes items such as scaffolds and fixed guardrails, whilst personal protective equipment is worn by employees for protection and includes items such as harnesses and helmets. There is also safety technology, known as smart PPE, that helps to alert people to issues that may arise.
Before investing in your working at height PPE, consider factors such as what working at height tasks your employees are required to do, how many employees are involved, the height at which the tasks are conducted as well as where the task takes place.
Do working at height training
They say prevention is better than cure, and with the right working at height training, you can ensure that your employees have been educated about the risks they face with their work, as well as preventative measures they can take.
Do maintenance on safety equipment
It’s not enough to simply have the right safety equipment in place; you need to conduct maintenance as well in order to ensure it remains in good condition so that it does its job and keeps your employees safe. Generally, it’s best to check your equipment before use; however other items, such as harnesses, can be checked on an annual basis.
Like these work at height safety tips?
Working at height is dangerous work, which is why it’s important to do everything you can, as an employer, to mitigate the risks faced by your employees. With these safety tips, you’ll be able to do just that.
