A task that involves a risk of falling and liable to cause personal injury, is working at height. Tasks at height include anything from stacking shelves using a step to cleaning high windows on an elevated platform.
You do not have to be very high to fall and injure yourself.Working at height can also (but not always) include work below ground such as in basements and cellars.
Employer responsibilitiesEmployers must avoid requiring to workers work at height if possible eg when stacking shelves. The use of equipment or altering the process may help with this.
Obviously, in some types of workplace such as construction sites, working at height cannot be avoided and if this is the case, the employer must:
- assess all risks;
- plan, organise, and supervise the work thoroughly and ensure it is carried out in a safe manner;
- ensure those involved in the work (including the planning, organising, supervising, and carrying out) are competent;
- make sure the working area is safe and so far as possible includes features to prevent a fall (such as a railing);
- provide suitable measures (such as using an existing place or work or means of access) or if not possible, then suitable equipment to prevent falls – and ensure they are used, with preference to collective systems (such as a physical barrier) where possible and personal systems (such as a harness) where not;
- where a risk of falling remains, use work equipment or other measures to minimise the distance and consequence of any fall if possible, and if not, so far as possible, provide additional training and/or instruction to prevent the risk of falling;
- inspect and maintain work and safety equipment on each use or as appropriate;
- except for members of an emergency service acting in an emergency, only allow working at height when weather conditions make it safe to do so;
- prevent where possible or otherwise minimise risks posed by fragile surfaces or falling objects (including not working on or near or passing across fragile surfaces if possible, or otherwise displaying prominent signs);
- create a plan for dealing with emergencies and for rescues.
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If you have any queries about any of the above, we can assist you both assessments and
training via our fully interactive, high quality range of health and safety and leadership development courses. Topics include health and wellbeing in the workplace, leadership and development and industry specific training. Height Safety Essentials and Construction: Fundamentals For Safety are relevant to working at height for both employer and employee.
The cost is only a few pounds per course per person. Customisations are available to suit your organisation’s operational demands and employees’ individual training needs.
There are no monthly fees. Just choose the courses you want, when you want them.
Contact Steve Newton for further details on 01706 225419 or contact him via email.
