Did you know the workplace’s number one cause of death is falling? Research shows that this mishap accounts for 36.5% of all fatalities at the workplace. This alarming statistic highlights the importance of having comprehensive safety measures when working at height. It ensures the safety of workers and minimises or eliminates their risks at elevated work locations. Here are some important tips to implement when working at height.
Perform a job safety analysis
It is important to perform a job safety analysis before getting your staff to work at height. That means breaking down the entire job into detailed individual tasks. Start by creating a catalogue of all individual tasks and look for areas for concerns regarding safety, lack of equipment, inadequate training, weather concerns, and work time. Highlighting potential dangers will make addressing specific challenges your workers may face easier. While at it, look for other potential hazards and take the right measures to eliminate them.
Identify the right personal protective equipment
Conduct due diligence to identify what personal protective equipment (PPE) is ideal for your workers. Experts recommend focusing more on comfort and safety features. Also, ensure that your PPEs are adjustable to fit and function properly. Beyond that, train your workers on the proper use of those PPEs. They should know it works and why it’s important for their safety. They should also know what to do just in case something goes wrong.
It’s not enough to identify and purchase the necessary PPEs for usage. You must inspect them closely to ensure they’re in perfect working condition. This is because the tiniest weak point could prove fatal. During your inspection, check the ropes, harnesses, and lanyards, watching for any signs of wear and tear. Also, ensure that no metal parts are rusted and no loose clasps and straps.
Secure the work area
Maintaining a secure work area is critical to preventing accidents. You can set up barriers or guardrails around the perimeter of the elevated workspace. If this isn’t feasible, invest in safety nets or catch platforms instead as the second line of defence. You should also ensure the surrounding spaces are clean, organised, and clutter-free; pick up any tools or objects lying idling around, as they can create tripping hazards. It also helps to place signage strategically to alert others in the vicinity.
Implement proper ladder safety.
While ladders are common when working at heights, many end up misusing them, leading to accidents. A ladder is supposed to give easy access, so it should be in perfect working condition. As a tip, all ladders should also be mounted on level surfaces. According to experts, workers at height should maintain three points of contact when climbing or descending their ladders. Each ladder should also be of the perfect height to prevent overreaching when a worker is on it. You’ll find it helpful to work with access equipment hire services to get up-to-standard ladders. You can opt for aerial work platforms or scaffolding instead if workers need to move frequently while at height. This way, they will have more room to move.
