How to Stay Safe when Working at Height

In many forms of industry, there is a need to work from height. For example, in an industrial environment, there may be a need for inspection work to take place in and around the plant. This may involve the need to work from height to monitor structures and essential equipment that is present in these locations. In addition, routine maintenance may require some apparatus or componentry to be replaced or serviced which is not at ground level.

When working at height the worker must be suitably trained and competent in doing so. The risk of accidents and sustaining serious injuries is increased when working in such conditions, so staff must feel confident in doing so. In this article, some key advice is provided for all staff who will be required to work at height in the course of their working duties. This information will help to ensure that safe working practices take place and that the inherent risks of working at height are minimised wherever possible.

Risk assessments to identify hazards

Firstly, it is of paramount importance that the worker, manager, or health and safety representative undertakes a risk assessment before working at height commences. This risk assessment should take a comprehensive look at the task(s) required in this situation to determine what potential hazards are present. Are the structures secure? What risks of harm are present should the worker lose balance or fall? It can be beneficial to look at health and safety records from the firm to determine if accidents have previously occurred when undertaking similar tasks. These records may indicate the cause of the accident and if any subsequent recommendations were put in place to minimise future risks. A risk assessment should also identify the ideal way to approach the task and if supervision or additional equipment is required while it is undertaken.

Use the correct equipment

One of the key ways to work safely in any operation is by having the correct tools and equipment. This is also imperative when working at height. For example, selecting the correct ladder may be a major consideration. Suppliers to the industry such as Seton provide a range of ladders and other safety equipment that will allow you to undertake the task with the assurance that you have a kit and equipment that is suitable and safe.

Depending on the specific tasks(s) when working at height, and the overall height that you are working from, you may need to consider additional equipment. For example, you may need to wear a safety helmet if working at a significant height to reduce the risk of serious head injury should you fall. Safety lines and climbing equipment may also be considered in certain settings where the structures are unstable, or there is a significant risk of falling.

Take regular breaks

As a brief final point, it is important to recognise the value of taking regular breaks when working at height. You need to be both mentally and physically focused on these types of tasks, and any fatigue can dramatically increase the risk of accidents and injuries. Take regular breaks and ensure that you stay hydrated. It is far better to take a brief break and continue with the work with complete focus, rather than becoming tired and putting yourself at a greater risk of experiencing an accident.